Stowupland High School, near Stowmarket, still requires improvement following Ofsted inspection

A school still requires improvement following an Ofsted inspection which found that more could be done to support staff and pupils after unsafe RAAC was found.

Inspectors visited Stowupland High School, near Stowmarket, last week and the report was published today showing the school achieved the same result as the last Oftsed visit in March 2019.

One of the largest concerns outlined was that areas of the school are currently blocked off due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) being found which is negatively impacting staff and students.

The building material previously made headlines over safety concerns and SuffolkNews found that 17 learning spaces had closed in the school due to the issue.

It said: “Leaders’ current plans to improve provision are not fully developed.

“There is still more to do to stabilise the staff body and train staff to work collectively as a team to support pupils.

“This is not helped by the school’s buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). As a result, important sections of the site are closed.

“Leaders and staff have shown determination and considerable effort to keep the school open to all pupils. However, the disruption has been unsettling for staff and pupils.

“This has affected behaviour.”

The report also stated that many pupils do not buy into the school’s expectations enough because the values are not consistently applied – however, bigger incidents are resolved well and happen less frequently than before.

The school, which is part of the John Milton Academy Trust, was praised for its ‘well-designed and coherent’ curriculum which allows pupils to study a range of subjects with teachers having a strong knowledge in their subjects.

Sixth form provision was rated good.

However, it still requires improvement in terms of the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

A spokesperson for the John Milton Academy Trust said they were pleased the sixth form achieved a good rating, particularly how the report showed students left school prepared well for adult life, typically going on to gain employment or places at college or university.

“We are pleased that inspectors have recognised Stowupland High School’s broad, well-planned and coherent curriculum and improved attendance,” they said.

“However, we understand there is work to be done and take on board the areas for improvement identified.

“As reported by Ofsted, the trust has reviewed the way it supports the school and will be putting into action our plans for improvement.”