Setting

Mr Andrew Goulty Executive Headteacher The Purston E-Act Academy Pontefract Road Featherstone Pontefract West Yorkshire WF7 5AJ

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Special measures monitoring inspection of The Purston E-Act Academy

Following my visit to your school on 12 May 2014, 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 inspection and for the time you made available to discuss the actions which have been taken since the school’s recent section 5 inspection.

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Special measures monitoring inspection of The Purston E-Act Academy

The inspection was the first monitoring inspection since the school became subject to special measures following the inspection which took place in January 2014.

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Evidence

During this inspection, meetings were held with the executive headteacher, two deputy headteachers, the Chair of the Governing Body and the Chair of the Rodillian Academy Trust (the new sponsor). In addition, the statement of action drawn up by the initial academy sponsor and the academy’s development plan were evaluated and a tour of the academy was undertaken.

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Context

The academy's sponsor is currently E-ACT, whose Board of Trustees agreed on 26 February 2014, that Purston Academy will no longer be part of the sponsor's group of schools. The decision to change sponsor has been agreed with the Department CfBT Inspection Services Suite 22 West Lancs Investment Centre Maple View Skelmersdale WN8 9TG T 0300 123 1231 Text Phone: 0161 6188524 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 01695 566939 Direct F 01695 729320 Direct email: glankertis@cfbt.com

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

for Education (DfE). Progress with the transfer to a new sponsor is advanced and the preferred sponsor has now put in place its own leadership arrangements with the academy, in agreement and collaboration with E-ACT.

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

Since 28 April, the executive headteacher from Rodillian has been based at Purston and a deputy headteacher from Rodillian has taken over the day-to-day leadership of the academy. The interim Principal at the time of the inspection left Purston at Easter and two interim assistant Principals will leave during the summer. Two teachers also left the academy at Easter. New appointments have been made and a full complement of teachers and leaders will be in place by mid-June.

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

The governing body is in transition. The Chair of the Governing Body was new to the academy when appointed in January. A small number of governors from the time of the inspection remain but other E-Act appointments have left. The academy is in the process of rebuilding the governing body. Meanwhile, the Academy Trust Board is working with existing governors.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

The new sponsors have moved swiftly and effectively to stabilise the academy and ensure that it runs smoothly. The executive headteacher has been very quick to reassure parents, staff and students and inform them about the future direction and ethos of the academy. Many actions to address the areas for improvement from the inspection have been implemented and others will be introduced in mid-June. For example, a new timetable and curriculum have been developed to meet the needs of students better and improve financial viability. These will be introduced in June alongside a new behaviour management system. Professional development is already underway to improve the quality of teaching but it is too early to see the impact. Improvement plans are used as working documents and are regularly updated and strengthened.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

The review of governance has not yet taken place as the governing body is being reconstituted. The Chair of the Academy Trust Board, a National Leader of Governance, will play a key role in training and development.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

Following the monitoring inspection the following judgements were made:

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

The original sponsor’s statement of action is fit for purpose.

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The quality of leadership and management at the school

The school’s improvement plan is fit for purpose.

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

Having considered all the evidence I am of the opinion that the academy may appoint newly qualified teachers on the understanding that support is available from the Rodillian Academy.

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PROTECT-INSPECTION

I am copying this letter to the Secretary of State, the Academies Advisers Unit at the DfE, the Chair of the Academy Trust Board, the Chair of the Governing Body and the Corporate Director, Children and Young People for Wakefield. This letter will be published on the Ofsted website.

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