Snap inspection sees academy downgraded

OLDHAM Academy North has been downgraded following a snap inspection after complaints by a parent.

The Royton school was originally rated as “good” (grade two) when Ofsted visited in July 2013 and wouldn’t normally be rechecked for at least five years.

But the education watchdog decided it “requires improvement” - a fall to grade three - when it returned last month after a half-day’s notice.

The inspection was prompted by allegations including unfair exclusions and the manipulation of attendance and achievement figures. There were also claims that provision for children with special educational needs is not good enough, that staff morale is low, that parents’ complaints aren’t heeded, that governors don’t challenge senior leaders, and that Muslim pupils were being made to do PE during Ramadan.

Oldham Academy North has been hit by similar allegations since it replaced Grange School.

Inspectors did not investigate individual complaints, but scrutinised the school’s wider performance.

Inspectors said “decisive action” has improved English this year, maths is a strength and challenging targets have been set to address the “legacy of underachievement” inherited from Grange.

Former principal Colette Burgess, who left this month after being appointed principal at Waterhead Academy, said: “We have worked hard to ensure that this year’s results will put the academy back on track.”