BREAKING NEWS: Oakmeeds Community College placed in ‘Special Measures’ by Ofsted

Oakmeeds Community College, Burgess Hill, has been placed in ‘Special Measures’ by Ofsted, the schools inspectorate.
Oakmeeds Community College, Burgess Hill SUS-140325-094141001Oakmeeds Community College, Burgess Hill SUS-140325-094141001
Oakmeeds Community College, Burgess Hill SUS-140325-094141001

For a full report see tomorrow’s Mid Sussex Times, which has exclusive content on this latest development.

After the paper went to press this afternoon, the college released the following statement:

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“In June 2011 Oakmeeds Community College was judged to be ‘Good’ by Ofsted and was showing an improving trend following best ever GCSE results (64% 5A* - C including English and Maths in 2010). However in the subsequent years results have varied and the improvement in headline figures has not been maintained. At all times results have remained well above the minimum standard but in 2013 they dropped below national averages.

“On 29th and 30th January 2014 Ofsted inspectors again visited the college. The team was impressed by the students who showed good behaviour; praising the positive attitudes students displayed towards their learning. “However the inspection team judged that students were not seen to achieve to their academic potential.

“The inspectors acknowledged that following the 2013 GCSE results actions had been taken to raise standards but these have not yet had sufficient time to show the full impact and also needed to be more strongly and rigorously implemented.

“As a consequence, and based upon the latest Ofsted framework, the inspectors took a harsh view and concluded that Oakmeeds should be placed into “Special Measures” to achieve the necessary improvements in standards and return to previous performance levels as quickly as possible.

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“Headteacher Colin Taylor comments ‘We are clearly very disappointed with this outcome and whilst we have challenged some of the findings from the inspection we have to acknowledge that the achievement of students by the time they leave at the end of Key Stage 4 requires improvement’.

“The College and West Sussex County Council have already engaged in arranging a full process of support and implementing a focused action plan to build upon the positive actions that have already been put in place. “The Governors and staff are fully committed in addressing the issues and action points raised in the report, and the Local Authority has expressed every confidence that with all the measures in place Oakmeeds will recover its “Good” rating.”

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