Setting

Gareth Jones Ormiston Enterprise Academy Bennerley Avenue Ilkeston DE7 8PF

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Special measures monitoring inspection of Ormiston Enterprise Academy

Following my visit to your academy on 23 April 2013, I write on behalf of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills to confirm the inspection findings. Thank you for the help you gave during the visit and for the time you made available to discuss the actions which have been taken since the academy’s recent section 5 inspection.

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Special measures monitoring inspection of Ormiston Enterprise Academy

This was the first monitoring inspection since the academy became subject to special measures following the inspection which took place in January 2013.

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Evidence

During this inspection, meetings were held with the acting principal, the Chair of the Governing Body and the school education advisor (who acted as representatives of the sponsor). Meetings were also held with the two assistant principals and with a group of students from all five year groups. A tour of the academy was undertaken, which provided an opportunity to meet other staff and students and see some of the school’s work.

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Evidence

The sponsor’s statement of action and the academy’s improvement plan were evaluated. Serco Inspections 20 Colmore Circus Queensway Birmingham B4 6AT T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T : 0121 6799163 Direct email : lewis.mackie1@serco.com

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Context

Since the inspection in January 2013, a merger between this academy and the Ormiston Ilkeston Academy has been approved. Appointments have now been made to the new staffing structure that will apply from September 2013. Although there will be some reduction in staffing, all redundancies have been voluntary. Changes were made to the governing body shortly after the inspection by the appointment of a new Chair (who is also Chair of the Governing Body at Ilkeston Academy) and a reduction in the number of governors. There has also been a separation of functions between the main governing body, whose focus is raising standards in the academy, and a merger committee focused on all aspects of joining the two academies together.

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The quality of leadership and management at the academy

Governance at the academy has been transformed by decisive action and excellent leadership from the Chair of the Governing Body. Governors are now clearly focused on the quality of education received by the academy’s students. Strategic decisions have also been made effectively. A shadow governing body has been established for the merged academy and training arranged to boost the skills of governors in monitoring and challenging the academy.

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The quality of leadership and management at the academy

The acting principal has had an enormous impact since his arrival and improvements in almost every aspect of school life are apparent. The two very capable assistant principals have benefited from the acting principal’s experience and provide excellent and highly efficient leadership. A new culture of openness has helped senior leaders to have a quick impact in improving the quality of teaching. This shows in the attainment of Year 11 students that is already, based on examinations passed, considerably better than 2012. Students spoken to were very positive about the improvements, particularly the new presentation and marking policies. The ‘respect agenda’ was also much appreciated and they said it had brought about a significant improvement in behaviour and in the quality of relationships between students and staff.

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The quality of leadership and management at the academy

Following the monitoring inspection, the following judgements were made:

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The quality of leadership and management at the academy

The sponsor’s statement of action is is fit for purpose and the academy’s improvement plan is fit for purpose.

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The quality of leadership and management at the academy

Having considered all the evidence, I strongly recommend that the academy does not seek to appoint NQTs. I am copying this letter to the Secretary of State, the Chair of the Governing Body and the Department for Education Academies Unit. The letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

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