SWIFT action has been promised by a Liverpool secondary school that has been placed in special measures by Ofsted.
Alsop High School Technology and Applied Learning Specialist College in Walton has been rated as “inadequate” overall due to issues with leadership and management, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils.
It has been rated as “requires improvement” for personal development, behaviour and welfare, and for its 16-19 study programmes.
However, the report notes that there is strong pastoral support at the school, pupils feel safe and that students in its sixth form make good progress on its applied courses.
Alsop High’s “inadequate” rating now means that it will automatically receive an Academy Order and multi-academy trusts will be asked to express an interest in becoming a sponsor for the school.
The school was rated as “requires improvement” at its previous inspection in April 2017.
Reaction
Newly-appointed Head, Chris Wilson, said: “We are very disappointed by the outcome of the recent inspection and are determined to act on the report, and we have already taken swift action to address several of the report’s points.
“I have been working with the local education authority to secure external support from external colleagues in outstanding schools in the region so that we can learn from best practice and make rigorous improvements. I have also been reviewing the school’s leadership roles to make sure that they are fit for purpose.
“Although the report is a challenging one I am pleased that Ofsted has recognised some of the school’s strengths, such as pastoral support, the improvements we have made in pupils moving on to further and higher education, employment and training, and, above all, our enthusiastic and committed teachers. We will use these as the foundations for our future success.”
Heather Duggan, Liverpool City Council’s chief education officer, said: “Liverpool City Council is already working with the teaching staff and governors at Alsop and we have developed a detailed plan to ensure that every child receives a high-quality education. A progress board has also been set up to oversee the improvements that are being made.
“A successful Alsop High is vital to the future success of Walton and we want to reassure pupils, parents and the wider community that we are working tirelessly to improve the school.”
