A TROUBLED primary run by the biggest school academy in England has been boosted by its action plan being declared “fit for purpose.”

The Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) faced being stripped of Offa’s Mead in Sedbury after the school was put into special measures following an inspection in December that ruled the school ‘inadequate’ in all six categories.

The national and regional school commissioners both told the AET in March they were ‘minded to terminate’ its management of the 174-pupil school, where 40 per cent of the intake are from families of service personnel based at nearby Beachley Barracks, unless plans were put in place for “rapid and sustained improvement.”

But an inspector who made a monitoring visit at the end of April now says ‘effective action’ is being taken to reverse the decline, and has lifted the

immediate threat to the school, which is now under the stewardship of executive headteacher Suzanne Lloyd.

AET declared the announcement “an important milestone” in the recovery of Offa’s Mead.

In her post-inspection letter, inspector Sarah McGinnis said: “Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time, leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of

special measures.”

In addition, the trust’s statement of action and the school’s action plan were both ‘fit for purpose”, she added.

Responding to the news, AET said in a statement: “The recent Ofsted monitoring visit was very encouraging, with inspectors concluding that the academy and AET are taking “effective action” towards the removal of special measures.

“Ofsted recognise that leaders have been determined to tackle the weaknesses identified in the last inspection, and that the increase in Mrs Lloyd’s time at Offa’s Mead has made a significant and positive difference.

“They note that she is respected by staff and parents, and that her calm and knowledgeable approach is beginning to establish a ‘firm foundation’ from which we can build.

“They recognise that overall pupils are making better progress than has been the case in the past – particularly disadvantaged pupils and children in Early Years.

“Ofsted also comment on the ‘greater optimism’ about what the school can achieve, that staff morale is high and that parents have commented on the noticeable changes since the last inspection.

“Everyone at AET is absolutely committed to providing Offa’s Mead with the support needed to turn the school around, and deliver on our promise of an education that helps every child go on to lead a remarkable life.

“This most recent report from Ofsted demonstrates an important milestone towards that becoming a reality.”

Having been rated ‘good’ at its previous inspection, Offa’s Mead picked up an ‘inadequate’ rating at the end of 2018 across the board.