Donington's Cowley Academy has undergoing improvement to turnaround fortunes following Ofsted report
A range of improvements to help turnaround a ‘failing’ school are already starting to have an impact to raise standards.
Donington’s Cowley Academy, previously the Thomas Cowley High School, is currently rated as ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted following a damning inspection before the summer.
The school has been taken over by the South Lincolnshire Academies Trust (SLAT), which is behind the turnaround of other schools in the area including Spalding Academy.
New uniforms, aspiration raising initiatives such as ‘job of the week’ and timetable changes are among the improvements which have been introduced by new head of school Glenn Martin and the team.
Year groups have also been separated into their own yards and the school is also looking to introduce extra curricular activities.
Mr Martin, who joined the school in May after SLAT was asked to support Cowley, said: “The school is on an incredible journey. The results are looking more positive this summer.
“In sort space of time, a significant difference has been made to young people. There is a really good positive enthusiastic atmosphere across the school.
“Young people deserve a good education.”
The school, previously been rated as ‘good’ by Ofsted, was judged to be inadequate in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development along with leadership and management.
One of the first changes which has been brought in is the swap of the navy jumpers with a clip-on tie for a blazer.
Mr Martin said: “The new uniform creates a sense of identity and pride in being part of the Cowley Academy and SLAT.
“We are creating house identities and these all have links to the area and the history of the school.
“If students work hard in and out of schools they are given recognition for that as they deserve it.
“We are also raising aspirations and being proud of being part of the school community.
“The first priority is the young people as they are really lovely kids. They deserve a high quality education.”
Previously, the school, which has just 650 pupils, did not have religious education or ICT on its curriculum but that has now changed.
The trust has also introduced a broader range of subjects which include vocational opportunities.
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development has also been introduced to educate pupils on mental health, relationships and more.
‘Job of the week’ has also been introduced to help youngsters learn about difference careers and the qualifications needed.
The trust has changed the timetable for four lessons in the morning and one in the afternoon to help boost engagement.
Mr Martin said: “When I first came in period six, the students didn’t really focus and there was less engagement and behaviour took a dip.”
Another change has been providing each year group with its own ‘yard’ and there are also year leads for youngsters.
The school site, which has some buildings dating back to the 1600s, has undergone some improvements over the summer holidays.
The school is in the process of creating a library in one of its historic buildings to raise awareness of reading.
Librarian Kate Bird said: “We are hope to increase reading levels. The children are really excited. I have a long list of books they have asked for.”
'Changed for the better' says students
Cowley Academy students have also supported the changes which have been introduced.
Kelsea Waldon (15) has noticed an improvement in the first few weeks of the term since South Lincolnshire Academies Trust had taken over.
She said: “It has changed the school for the better. I didn’t think it would because of how it was.It didn’t feel like we were able to achieve enough as we weren’t pushed to things. Now you are pushed and achieved things and congratulated for it.”
Among the improvements witnessed by Kelsea during the first few weeks of the new term is a difference in teaching. She said:” We have teachers helping in ways that we didn’t get before. “
The previous uniform of a navy jumper and a clip-on tie has been swapped for a new blazer.
Kelsea said: “If you look and feel smart and support you get, gives us the advantages to be like the other schools.”
Aron Ealhal (14) was pleased with the school’s action on standards with the introduction of strike cards.
Kristyna Doades (14) added: “There are a lot more rules than there were before. “
Matthew Harper (14) has also witnessed changes amongst children and has praised the introduction of ‘spiritual moral and social culture’.
He said: “I have seen a rise in student positivity. There is awareness of mental health and that really helps with children’s education. You are not stressed.”
Charlie Mann (16) said: “There is a lot more support in place for students and the way it is been set up is a lot different and better.”
