Teaching blow for school

Friday 11th January 2008, 11:47AM GMT.

Newly-qualified teachers cannot be appointed at a troubled Walsall school where teaching standards remain poor seven months after first being criticised by Government inspectors.

Ofsted inspectors have ruled that only experienced staff can be appointed at St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary, in Coalpool, which was placed in special measures last June following a damning Ofsted report.

Just three months after the visit, headteacher Patrick O’Toole, who was heavily criticised in the report, left the school and leadership consultant Rita Iannarilla was appointed acting head.

Inspectors revisited the school in Dartmouth Avenue last December when they ruled standards remain inadequate, which is the lowest rating possible.

The original inspection report highlighted several issues including the school¹s poor leadership, and lessons failing to challenge pupils.
Inspector Usha Devi said: “Progress at the school since it was made subject to special measures is inadequate and newly-qualified teachers may not be appointed.”

The inspector said some progress has been made since the appointment of Mrs Iannarilla but there was ‘still a long way to go’.


  1. 1
    rmpiedra

    I wonder about the experiance of the inspectors and staff turnover in schools they have ‘saved’.

    Report abuse



Free e-Supplements

Business Awards

Read the full story here Read the full story here

Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

LIVE traffic updates

Road, rail and airport - latest Road, rail and airport - latest

Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.

OUR NEW APP

Get the new E&S app Get the new E&S app

Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.