Flash Ley School now improving after toxic gas find
A primary school lost a quarter of its pupils and suffered high staff turnover while it was shut for more than a year due to toxic gas, it has been revealed.
Flash Ley was evacuated in October 2015 after formaldehyde was discovered with pupils returning this January after being taught elsewhere.
It has emerged the number of pupils on the roll fell by 90 to 292 during this period, although 22 new students have joined since the return to Hawksmoor Road.
Ofsted has declared the school now 'requires improvement' in the key areas concerned with leadership, teaching and pupil outcomes.
Click here to read the full Ofsted report
However, despite the challenging circumstances the school has fared better in some areas compared to its previous inspection in 2015.
The report states: "Since the last inspection, the school has been through what staff and governors describe as a 'unique experience'."
It said there had been high staff turnover during the period of disruption which had affected the progress made by pupils.
But the school was rated 'good' for pupil development with Ofsted stating the evacuation may have actually benefited youngsters.
They said: "Pupils' attitudes to change are extremely positive and they have shown great resilience."
Co-acting head teachers Karan Williams and Kerri Fenton said: "Given the unsettled time the school experienced from 2015-17, we are pleased that this Ofsted inspection reflects the improvements the school has made.
"It also shows a number of improvements against the previous Ofsted inspection.
"The last year has been very challenging for staff, governors and pupils, but we're not dwelling on any issues experienced during our time away from Flash Ley.
"Instead we are confident that we are moving the school in the right direction, and that the current picture is very positive indeed."
