A SCHOOL has been placed on special measures after being judged as ‘inadequate,’ for a second time.

Thornaby Academy was inspected by Ofsted in June this year after previously being judged as inadequate in 2014.

Last time leadership at the school was judged as ‘good’ but this time that has been downgraded as ‘inadequate’ and special measures have been imposed.

The Ofsted report said that the quality of teaching, personal development, behaviour and welfare of pupils and outcomes for pupils were also all inadequate.

The report said: “Leaders do not ensure that pupils on alternative programmes are kept safe...Leadership is inadequate because leaders have been too slow in their actions to bring about improvements in the quality of teaching. The school’s performance has declined since the last inspection."

There was some good news for the academy as inspectors recognised that that progress had been made in the quality of teaching in English, mathematics, humanities and the arts as well as in school attendance.

Outlining the school’s strengths, the Oftsted report said: “The acting principal has a sharp vision for improvement at the school which is shared by middle leaders, who are increasingly effective. On the whole, pupils are sensible in their behaviour around the school and in lessons.”

The school will now be sponsored by educational support body, the Teesside Learning Trust (TLT). Linda Halbert, chief executive officer of TLT, and already the acting headteacher has now been given the role of executive principal at the school to enact an improvement plan.

Ms Halbert said: “I am disappointed for the students, staff and the community in the judgement assigned to the academy by Ofsted. However, on behalf of the staff and trustees I acknowledge the recommendations made and give a commitment to driving forward with our vision for the academy, and for the young people we serve. We are delighted to see a significant improvement in the 2016 examination results and will build upon this success to achieve excellence in all aspects of our work.”

“Working closely with Teesside Learning Trust as the new sponsor for Thornaby, and with our partner colleagues at Freebrough Academy in Brotton, which received a ‘Good’ rating at its last Ofsted inspection, this report gives us a clear focus to address the challenges that are identified.”

Chairman of the Teesside Learning Trust, John Baker said: “We are confident that the Academy has both a clear plan and strong leadership.”