A zero tolerance policy on bad teaching has been introduced at a Spalding school that has been told it is not making enough progress for the removal of special measures.
Ofsted inspectors visited Sir John Gleed School for two days just before Christmas and their report has now been made public.
The main focus for concern was “inadequate teaching” – a result of understaffing, high levels of staff absence and the number of supply teachers being used.
In a letter to headteacher Will Scott from an inspector, Trevor Riddiogh, he said: “I strongly recommend that the academy does not seek to appoint newly-qualified teachers.”
Headteacher Will Scott said: “I recognise that we still have work to do, but I am nevertheless pleased that the report acknowledges the progress we have already made in many areas, including teaching and learning.
“Our main priority continues to improve the quality of teaching and there is a relentless focus on this. We are supporting our teaching staff in this and holding them to account where necessary.”
An area that has seen “effective action” is students’ behaviour and the safety of pupils.
The report said students “appreciate the calmer atmosphere and follow instructions and complete tasks even when the pace of the lessons is slow or the tasks are not stimulating or challenging”.
Lesa Jeffery, chairman of Friends of the Gleed, said: “I think it’s important to remember that the school was put into special measures only last summer and people need to understand that it is going to take a lot longer than nine months to achieve the levels that we all want.
“It’s hard to attract good quality teachers to a school that is in special measures but then, on the other side, it would be good to get teachers that are up for the challenge to improve the level of teaching at the school.
“The teachers that weren’t’ providing our kids with a high enough standard of teaching have gone. This has to be a positive and if they have to be replaced by supply teachers for the short-term then so be it.
“It was good to see the report saw effective action had been taken to improve the safety and behaviour of the students. I know from what my own daughter has said that everyone feels more positive now that Will Scott is in charge. It makes the students want to behave because they respect Mr Scott.”
Anna Crispin, schools director at CfBT School Trust, said: “The whole team is disappointed with the overall judgement, but we are confident with the current plans in place we are moving in the right direction.”