A REDDITCH school has been given a notice to improve after receiving a damning report from Ofsted.

Kingsley College, in Woodrow Drive, received an overall rating of 4 from Ofsted inspectors, which means it is judged to be inadequate.

The report states: “Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector is of the opinion that this school requires significant improvement because it is performing significantly less well than in all the circumstances it could reasonably be expected to perform.”

It also stated that while some aspects of the school’s work are good and it provides a secure, welcoming atmosphere for the students, standards in GCSE examinations are low and in some of the key areas there has been little sign of sustained improvement over the last four years.

It said that teaching was satisfactory overall and progress in lessons is best when the teaching is “lively and engaging” but also states that often lessons “do not adequately motivate students” because they are too teacher dominated and activities do not allow students to take responsibility for their own learning.

The school also received unsatisfactory ratings for the outcomes for individuals and groups of pupils, for pupils’ achievement and the extent to which their enjoy their learning, and the effectiveness with which the school deploys resources to achieve value for money.

But it was not all bad news for the school, as it was rated 2, which means “good”, in several categories including pupils’ behaviour, the extent of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, pupils’ attendance, the effectiveness of care, guidance and support, and the effectiveness of the school’s engagement with parents and carers.

A school spokesman said: “During last September’s Ofsted Inspection at Kingsley College, the Inspectors commented that they were impressed by the students friendliness, helpfulness and behaviour. The college was also commended for its safeguarding procedures. Teaching was usually good and never less than satisfactory. Parental support of the college was shown in the very positive returns made to the team.

“In order to achieve even more the college is working intensely with students to ensure as many as possible achieve both English and Mathematics in the summer.”

And headteacher Lesley McGuigan added: “We were pleased the Ofsted team recognized the excellent ethos of Kingsley and that they agreed that we know exactly how to lead the college forward. As always we were exceptionally proud of our students.”

A school is given a notice to improve by Ofsted when it is failing but when inspectors consider it does have the capacity to improve.

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