Lincolnshire comprehensive school has once again been given an ‘inadequate’ rating by Ofsted – after sitting in this category for nearly ten years. Gainsborough Academy received its most recent Ofsted rating in September, with behaviour and attitudes at the school strongly criticised.
According to its website, the school currently has 670 children on roll despite a capacity of 1,200. It was first rated inadequate in 2013 and The Wickersley Partnership Trust, who run the Corringham Road school, say they are now working hard to improve following the latest results.
Councillor Matthew Boles of the Gainsborough North ward has argued that the school is continually failing children. At a recent full council meeting, he urged Lincolnshire County Council to give the students a chance at a better education.
He said: “12 years ago, Gainsborough Academy – or was it then Trent Valley Academy – opened to much fanfare, and promises about quality of education for children. In the ensuing 12 years, it has seen no less than 10 head teachers, one name change, numerous uniform changes, and a continual revolving door of hundreds of members of staff.
“In September this year, the school was inspected by Ofsted and once again rated Inadequate. In its various guises, the school has sat in this category since May of 2013.
“Hundreds of parents are making the choice to incur huge costs and take children out of town seeking a better education for their children, not even considering the academy as an option, leaving the academy at 50% of its intended capacity. Gainsborough children cannot be left to be continually failed in such a way.”
Councillor Patricia Bradwell, the executive for children’s safety, shared his concerns. She said: “The council invested a lot of money in the school and it’s a fantastic building. We do talk to the Regional School Commissioner [about the school].
“And I understand that at this moment in time, there’s no decision being made about the current trust, but they are seriously looking at situation and hopefully they will make the right decision and we can then move forward.”
Wickersley Partnership Trust’s chair of directors, Steve Calvert, and chief executive officer, Helen O’Brien, have issued a statement in response. It reads: “We acknowledge the result of our recent Ofsted inspection, and are working tirelessly in each area, and with every agency and external stakeholder, to ensure that all students have the best educational experience possible.
“Going forward, we are confident that – by ensuring our high expectations and working together in the Gainsborough Way – all students at The Gainsborough Academy will be given the best opportunity to leave school able, qualified and ready for the ever-changing world in which we live in.”
Council leaders recently shared fears of unaccountable failing academies who avoided scrutiny from local authorities. Leader Councillor Martin Hill said there was a “lack of transparency over academies,” and felt that “local authorities have deliberately been taken out of the equation.”
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