THERE was good news for Dunstable’s Queensbury School after the latest visit from Ofsted inspectors.
For the inspectors say that progress on improvements is now “satisfactory” at the school, placed in special measures late last year.
The welcome news comes at a time when the Langdale Road school is poised to transform into a new academy in September.
Queensbury was placed in special measures in a shock move after a visit in October by Ofsted inspectors, when its overall effectiveness was rated “inadequate”.
Earlier this year, Ofsted’s first monitoring report said progress on improvements was “inadequate”.
The sixth form was not inspected as it had been judged “satisfactory”.
Now a second monitoring visit, which took place in June, has led to “satisfactory” judgements for progress on improvements at the school while in special measures, and since the earlier report.
The latest report said students’ learning and progress in lessons had improved for four main reasons.
Lessons started on time, classrooms were more orderly, attendance had risen and teaching had begun to improve.
The report also noted that students’ behaviour had improved.
Low-level disruption still occurred in less engaging lessons.
Inspectors said interim head Jill Coughlan, appointed a CBE for services to education in Islington, had made important changes since joining the school in April.
The report said staff at all levels had more positive attitudes and felt involved in the improvement drive.
It went on: “The leadership of teaching and learning is leading to steady improvements that are beginning to accelerate.”
> Progress was “good” regarding the requirement to improve leadership and management urgently.
“Satisfactory” ratings were given on progress in two other categories.
They involve improving progress in lessons for all students to at least satisfactory, and improving teaching so that the majority is good.
A priority for further improvement is to ensure provision for disabled students and those with special educational needs meets the requirements of the special educational needs code of practice.
