School improves after 'scissors thrown at staff'

A school where teachers reported having scissors thrown at them has "taken effective action" but more needs to be done, the education watchdog has said.

Westbourne Academy was rated inadequate following an inspection by Ofsted in June, weeks after teachers went on strike in protest over pupils' poor behaviour.

Some students at the school, in Marlow Road, Ipswich, were reported to have used "derogatory language" about race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation.

After putting it in special measures, inspectors returned to monitor its progress.

While some improvements had been made, Ofsted said "continued work" was needed.

Principal Martin Higgon accepted there was "more to do".

At the time of the inspection, the school was being run by the Academy Transformation Trust (ATT), but is now in the process of being transferred to the Inspiration Trust.

ATT had appointed a new board to "drive forward rapid change" and made new appointments to its leadership team.

Ofsted said this had resulted in some change, with inspectors citing that pupils' behaviour had "substantially improved".

It was also noted that, while attendance was still low, more pupils were going to school regularly and plans to improve their personal development were in motion.

Inspectors said improvements were being made to its special educational needs and disabilities offering, and pupils' experiences with learning across the school were better.

They also acknowledged that leaders were more "sensitive to the demands they place" on staff and would now "prioritise their workload and wellbeing".

"Leaders have focused sharply on changing the culture of the school so that pupils feel they belong here," the inspectors said.

The school has nearly 1,000 pupils and recently adopted a no-phone policy.

The report also added that an "overhauled" personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum had resulted in a "greater focus on diversity and respect for all".

However, while there had been a reduction in incidents of racial discrimination, some pupils still used profanity or abusive language, and staff did not consistently address it.

Inspectors concluded: "Leaders and trustees are taking effective action to improve the school, but continued work is needed to remove the special measures designation."

Higgon said he was "pleased" that Ofsted had "recognised the significant progress" the school had already made.

"The report reflects the hard work and commitment of our staff, pupils and families, as well as the strong support from our trust and academy improvement board," he said.

"We know there is more to do, which is why this term we are focusing on strengthening staff wellbeing, raising student attendance, building on the gains we have made in behaviour, and improving quality first teaching. "

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