Meeting set up for Waseley parents after 'concerning' Ofsted report

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CONCERNS have been raised about the standard of teaching at Waseley Hills High School after its latest Ofsted report declared every area needed improvement.

The Rubery-based school issued a letter to parents on Tuesday (February 26) inviting them to attend a meeting next week to address their fears and discuss how the school aimed to meet national requirements.

The report was produced after a two-day visit at the end of January where inspectors attended 41 lessons and spoke to students, teachers, as well as Principal Alan Roll and chair of governors Eric Hogg.

It is the first Waseley has had since becoming an academy in September last year.

The school was graded three overall, below good and 'required improvement' in all four key areas - achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

Ofsted inspectors pointed out several weaknesses, most of which surrounded the level of teaching.

The report said students lost interest in weaker classes, teaching quality varied throughout the school, pupils were not progressing enough in English and maths and the difficulty of work was often set at the wrong level.

Senior staff were also criticised for not helping teachers improve and Mr Roll and the school governors came under fire for 'not having a clear view of the impact of spending on students who receive additional funding'.

Attendance at Waseley was deemed average, although the number of fixed term exclusions was nearly double the national average.

The academy was credited for its 'strong' sixth-form, and teaching in some humanities subjects, particularly religious studies which was considered 'outstanding' in some classes.

Inspectors also said disabled pupils and those with special educational needs were progressing well.

The grade 3 rating means Waseley will be subject to another inspection within two years.

District coun Peter McDonald, and former governor at Waseley until last September, said parents had contacted him expressing their worry for the school.

He said: "I was very concerned at the time the school transferred to an academy.

"It wasn't in good shape and still needed support from the county council.

"The sooner they get help from the Government or county council the better.

"Hundreds of young people's futures are at stake."

Alan Roll, principal of Waseley Hills High School, dismissed the notion transferring to an academy had had a negative impact.

He said the achievements section of the Ofsted report was based on last year's results before the school had converted.

Mr Roll also said the school was one of many affected by English GCSE results marked down nationally and added forecasts for this year's examinations indicated a marked improvement.

"I would expect as an academy to stride on from that." he added.

Mr Roll urged any parents with questions to attend the meeting at the school on Tuesday (March 5) which begins at 6pm.

He also extended the invitation to parents of prospective Waseley pupils.

"We want to give all parents the opportunity to know what we are doing to address issues raised in the report," he added.

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