Struggling schools to become academies

Westwood primary school

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THREE struggling primary schools are set to become academies.

Alt, Richmond and Westwood will be sponsored by the Oldham-based Harmony Trust, set up in February this year to raise attainment in local schools.

The trust is led by Greenhill School - rated “outstanding” at its last Ofsted inspection.

Greenhill is one of the Government’s National Support Schools whose staff use their expertise to raise attainment, achievement and expectations in other schools.

Alt was classed as “inadequate” (the bottom grade of four) by the education watchdog last November and placed in special measures.

Richmond was classed as “requires improvement” in the same month, having previously been inadequate.

Ofsted rated Westwood inadequate, with serious weaknesses, in February, but the school wasn’t placed in special measures.

Alt is due to become an academy on October 1, followed by Richmond and Westwood a month later.

Improvements have been made since Westwood Primary School received its “inadequate” rating.

Governors have been replaced with an interim executive board and Westwood is consulting on the proposal to become an academy.