Latest news with #AcademyTransformationTrust
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
Westbourne Academy in Ipswich gets 'inadequate' Ofsted ratings
A school where teachers went on strike over poor pupil behaviour has been rated as inadequate in all categories by May staff at Westbourne Academy in Ipswich walked out in protest at children's behaviour after they said chairs and scissors were thrown at inspectors, who visited in June, said learning was "frequently interrupted by the poor behaviour of some pupils" and rated the school inadequate in four key Transformation Trust (ATT), which manages the school, said it had already identified challenges raised by Ofsted and accepted their seriousness. The school had previously been rated as good after an inspection last April, the government announced it was scrapping the old one- or two-word overall judgements ahead of a new rating system, to be introduced in the this year's inspection, the school was rated inadequate in the following areas:Quality of educationBehaviour and attitudesPersonal developmentLeadership and managementThe school's safeguarding arrangements were considered "effective". 'Derogatory language' Inspectors said the poor behaviour came from a "minority" of students, but it could be intimidating to other pupils and staff making them "nervous and unsettled".Some pupils used "derogatory language" linked to race, ethnicity, gender and sexual had become "normalised", meaning incidents were not frequently reported."When they are reported, staff respond appropriately," the report said. "However, the school is not taking effective action to address this issue. As a result, some pupils are not developing the respect and tolerance needed to live and work in a diverse society." Ofsted said the school had not established a "consistent or effective approach to managing" the issue and while it was aware of its challenges and had taken some steps, they had "not had the intended impact" with staff morale not directly mentioned in Ofsted's report as having an impact, the school had hired a new vice principal for behaviour and pastoral care to address the issues highlighted included low pupil attendance rates, which showed "little sign of sustained improvement" and provision issues for students who struggled to read and Send (special educational needs and diability) highlighted most students were "polite, friendly and work hard" and where behaviour was settled, pupils benefitted from "warm and positive relationships with staff". The report praised the "well-structured" curriculum and said many teachers were "skilled" in delivering it. A spokesperson for ATT said the positives raised were "vital foundations" it would continue to build it did not accept Ofsted's view that it lacked capacity to improve."The inspection offers a limited snapshot - two days in the life of a complex school," they said."Our knowledge of Westbourne is far deeper, built over more than a decade of partnership with its staff, leaders and community. "We are confident in our understanding of the school's challenges and in our ability to deliver sustained improvement." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ipswich Westbourne Academy strikes paused as school tackles issue
Teachers who have been on strike over poor pupil behaviour have postponed future action after the school said it was introducing a new staff member to tackle the teachers at Westbourne Academy in Ipswich have walked out in protest at children's behaviour after they said chairs and scissors had been thrown at Transformation Trust (ATT), which runs the school, has hired a new vice principal for behaviour and pastoral care who will start after next week's half-term break. Darren Smith, senior regional officer for the National Education Union (NEU), said the teachers were "going to see how that goes" and had postponed action. Mr Smith said the NEU and the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) had been in discussions."We've decided to proceed with [Wednesday and Thursday], but we will postpone strike action that had been planned for after half term in order to see those steps that are being put in place," he said."We're going to see how that goes. We wouldn't be postponing action if we didn't think this needed to be given a try at least."Mr Smith added he was looking forward to seeing if changes made by the trust could be ATT had previously acknowledged there was a "small but significant minority whose behaviour does not meet our high expectations". Sophie Walker is a science teacher and NEU representative on strike at the graduated and became a teacher 10 years ago and while initially excited for her future, admitted she had considered quitting both the school and teaching altogether. "[The trust] seems fairly confident that we're going to make this work," she said of the changes being implemented."Staff are very much on board and, as we do with everything, we'll give it our best shot to make this work. Only time will tell." "We are implementing a revised behaviour system developed with staff and currently being shared with pupils and parents for feedback," an ATT spokesperson said."We are also replacing the house system with a new year group-based pastoral structure, increasing capacity to provide direct and focused support."The trust said the new vice principal had a "strong reputation for improving culture and behaviour from the other schools within which he has worked".They added they were "pleased" the unions had paused strike action which the trust felt would give its "new approaches time to embed and make a difference"."We believe these changes will help restore the calm, safe learning environment that our students and staff deserve," they school has also advertised for a seclusion manager to start as soon as role would entail leading and developing the school's internal provision "by providing high-quality support for students who would have otherwise received suspensions", according to the job description. A Department for Education spokesperson said it was "committed to turning the tide on poor behaviour" and that new regional improvement teams would work with schools to improve standards. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Ipswich Westbourne teachers on strike over 'poor pupil behaviour'
Teachers at a secondary school have striked over poor student behaviour, their union representatives teachers at Westbourne Academy in Ipswich refused to work on Tuesday and said they would carry on their action on Wednesday, with further strike days planned for next National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) cited "untenable levels of classroom disruption" including pupils refusing to attend lessons and "roaming the school".A spokesperson for Academy Transformation Trust, which runs the school, said it "recognised the challenges" and was working with union representatives "to understand concerns and to support all colleagues". The school, which has about 1,000 pupils, said that learning would be moved online for Years 7, 8 and 9 on Tuesday and Wednesday. 'Teach safely' Explaining the reasons behind the strike action, the NASUWT said in a statement: "A large group of pupils at Westbourne Academy are refusing to attend lessons and instead choose to roam the school, disrupting other lessons and engaging in threatening behaviour towards staff and other pupils. "Teachers have sought help from school leadership but no plan has worked in practice, with teachers often waiting for most or all of their lessons for urgent assistance."It said its members at the school "just want to conduct their lessons in safety and peace". "They feel abandoned by school leaders and desperate for effective support."Members of the National Education Union have also taken strike a statement, the academy trust said: Following Ofsted's visit in June 2024, which rated Westbourne as a good school overall, we have acted with pace and purpose to respond to their feedback regarding the behaviour of a minority of pupils. "This includes providing additional staffing and strengthening leadership. "We are currently planning out a new approach to manage pupil conduct and how pupils are organised within the school, which will start after half term. This is all aimed at creating a calmer, more focused environment for learning for all."It added the school was "committed to achieving lasting improvement while minimising any disruption to pupils". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
