An over-subscribed secondary school in Bedfordshire has defended its latest Ofsted rating, saying that had the inspection taken place after its latest exam results were published, it would have fared better.
Sharnbrook Academy, formerly Sharnbrook Upper School and Community College, was rated ‘requires improvement’ by school inspectors.
Despite raising a formal complaint against Ofsted, the school’s rating was upheld and the complaint overruled.
In 12 years, the school – which has over 1,900 students – has gone from ‘outstanding’ in 2010 to ‘good’ in 2013. The latest inspection took place in the summer term of 2022. The school became part of the academy group the Meridian Trust in September 2021.
The school’s principal, Clare Raku, said that Sharnbrook Academy had issued the formal complaint as “the impact of both our conversion from an upper school to a secondary in 2017, and the pandemic, seemed to be little understood.
“We do not fully agree with their [Ofsted’s] evaluation of the quality of education; we think that this summer’s exam results vindicate our view and undermine aspects of this report. Ofsted investigate complaints made against them internally and have rejected our complaint.”
However, she went on to say that the “very large, complex secondary school” did not seek to dismiss or gloss over issues highlighted by the report and confirmed the school “will be taking the areas for improvement identified very seriously.”
Special Educational Needs
One area of concern within the Ofsted report included Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision. This was echoed by a parent who told the Bedford Independent: “It’s deeply concerning that the school has received this rating, and the school hasn’t really responded with an action plan instead blaming Ofsted for its inspection method and not taking responsibility for the outcomes.
“My child has special educational needs which we feel the school is not really supporting, and this [was] highlighted as an area of concern in the report.
“The head teacher and senior management need to address the failings of the school and communicate with parents how they intend to make the school better with published targets and an action plan on meeting those targets.”
In a letter to parents – also sent to the Bedford Independent – the school said: “At the time of the inspection, we had a gap in the important role of SENCO, and we are working hard to review, update and sharpen the provision for students with identified needs.
“We want to give you reassurance and confidence over the coming months in each of these areas and will be communicating more regularly with you on our progress in the areas highlighted.
Exam results exceeded national and regional averages
Sharnbrook Academy principal, Clare Raku, said that the Department of Education has confirmed that the recent exam results achieved by pupils were excellent, “with attainment and progress that is much better than both the national and regional averages”.
She said: “We are confident that if the inspection had taken place after these results, inspectors would have had more confidence that changes to our curriculum and improvements since we joined Meridian Trust had been firmly embedded and reached a more positive conclusion.”
Although disappointed with the overall judgement, Ms Raku said the Academy was pleased that inspectors recognised that personal development, leadership and management and the sixth form are ‘Good’.
The executive principal of Meridan Trust, Richard Spencer, highlighted the turbulent few years the school has endured, converting to a secondary school in 2017, just two school years before the impact and disruption of Covid 19.
“Sharnbrook Academy joined Meridian Trust in September 2021, less than a school year before the Ofsted inspection took place, to provide additional capacity to improve and maintain high education standards in time,” he told the Bedford Independent.
“Many changes we have made since September 2021 are already having a positive impact, such as the launch of the new House system and changes to the curriculum. This can be seen in the recent GCSE results, published after the inspection, which are significantly above the national and regional averages.”
He said that the school is confident it will achieve at least a ‘Good’ rating when Ofsted next visits.
Catchment area
The catchment area for Sharnbrook Academy covers many of the picturesque North Bedfordshire villages, seeing some parents relocate to ensure their children are eligible for a place. This demand has undoubtedly had an effect on property prices in the area.
”If I had a pound for each time I have been asked for a property in the Sharnbrook catchment area I would now be sitting in my villa on the French Riviera,” said property expert, Russell Beard of the Beard Group.
“The appeal of the catchment raised property values by some 10% or so against other areas and I believe the school was a major competitor to the Harpur Trust schools for a long period.
“I think the downscaling of the school rating will be a deterrent for some who are prioritising quality education as a ‘must-have’ on their property search wish list, but on the basis of form is temporary, class is permanent I am sure the school will find its feet again and property values in the catchment will still retain their premium.”
