Troubled academy making progress

The academy opened in September 2008

Progress has been made at a troubled city academy but there is still a long way to go, inspectors said.

In January, Richard Rose Central Academy, in Carlisle, was placed in special measures just five months after opening after parents complained.

Ofsted has now published a report from its first monitoring inspection.

Attendance and teaching and learning quality still needed work but improvements included pupils' behaviour and communication with parents.

Ofsted inspectors paid an emergency visit to the school after complaints from parents, who said they feared for their children's safety because of staff shortages.

The academy's headteacher and chief executive left the school and were replaced.

The report said the arrival of new headteacher Russ Wallace in February marked the start of a period of hard work to address priorities.

It said: "The headteacher has successfully stabilised a volatile climate, prioritising effectively so that students feel safe and learning can take place."

The report said progress to improve teaching and learning had been slow to get under way but was now gaining momentum.

Inspectors found there had been satisfactory progress in improving the behaviour and attitudes of students but improving attendance and punctuality was inadequate.

There had been inadequate progress in improving the quality of all aspects of teaching and learning but work on prioritising the safety and wellbeing of students was satisfactory.

Communication, particularly between the academy and parents or carers, was rated as good.

Richard Rose Federation chief executive Mike Gibbons said: "We have come from a very low starting point and to make a significant impact takes time. But I believe we are well on the way."

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