OXFORD East MP Anneliese Dodds has written to a Government minister about The Oxford Academy following its ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating to demand answers over the ‘enormous failure’.
In a letter to Nick Gibb, the Minister of State for School Standards, she said she believed it was right the previous leadership team had gone but was ‘incredibly concerned’ that the situation had arisen in the first place.
READ AGAIN: Pupils tell Ofsted they feel 'scared' due to fights and bullying at Oxford school
Questioning the entire academy system, in which schools are directly funded by the state and outside local authority control, said: “As well as the responsibility lying with the previous management, responsibility also lies with the Department for Education, and the academy system that has been established.”
She called for a meeting with the department to discuss the issue.
A report released last week by the education watchdog found Oxford Academy to be 'inadequate' and placed it back in special measures, almost four years after it was rated 'good' for the first time ever.
Bullying and violence were highlighted as major concerns in the report.
ALSO READ: School reassures parents of rapid turnaround after 'inadequate' rating
Inspectors wrote: "The behaviour of a growing minority of pupils has become unruly, unkind and unsafe.
"Many pupils rightly told us that they feel very worried about coming to the school.
"Incidents of violence and abuse, including fights between pupils, are increasing."
The inspection took place in November, and was triggered by safeguarding concerns raised by Oxfordshire County Council.
ALSO READ: Academy is edging closer to trust takeover after 'inadequate' rating
Since the latest inspection, the school's governors have resigned and the headteacher has left.
Experienced educators have formed an 'interim academy board' to drive improvements and an interim headteacher, David Terry, has taken up post.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel