Ofsted says teaching is improving at King's Lynn Academy

A West Norfolk school has been told its teaching is improving in its latest monitoring report.

Ofsted inspectors say King's Lynn Academy (KLA) is taking effective action towards removing the school's special measures status.

This is the school's fourth monitoring inspection since it was deemed to be inadequate last year.

In a letter to principal Alan Fletcher, published today, Ofsted inspector John Mitcheson said: "You continue to work hard to resolve the issues facing the school.

"Your team of senior leaders is working more cohesively to secure further improvement. Recently appointed leaders are providing further capacity to improve.

"Over time, your routine monitoring of teaching and learning has held teachers to account, and led to marked improvements."

But the letter said some improvements in teaching were being undermined by the poor behaviour of a small minority of pupils.

Mr Mitcheson added: "This issue was raised as an area for further improvement at the time of the last monitoring inspection.

"Low-level disruption in lessons prevents other pupils from learning. Managing this behaviour absorbs too much of teachers' time.

"The large majority of pupils behave well, and are polite and respectful. They say that behaviour has improved significantly, and understand the procedures used by staff to manage behaviour.

"They feel that these procedures work for most pupils, but not for a small minority who regularly spoil lessons by messing about."

Headteacher Alan Fletcher said: "We are pleased that for the fourth consecutive visit HMI have praised the pace of our improvement at KLA.

"We think we are doing the right things to move our school out of special measures, and this report again recognises that inspectors agree.

"Teaching, behaviour, pupils’ progress and leadership have all been strengthened and we now expect to be coming out of special measures next term.

"We are very lucky to have the dedication of our brilliant staff and the support of our parent community as we look to become the great school our students and community deserve.

"We agree with the inspection team on those areas we still need to improve, and everyone at KLA is working extremely hard to achieve those improvements as fast we possible."

Duncan Ramsey, chief executive of the school's sponsor, the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust, said: "I would like to congratulate Mr Fletcher and the staff team at KLA for all the hard work, determination and effort they are putting in to bringing KLA out of special measures.

"It is especially pleasing to see that improvements in leadership, teaching and the care and support for pupils have all been noted.

"EMAT is working closely with the academy to respond to the areas identified for further improvement as we strive to provide KLA students with the very best education possible."