Bloxwich school getting better after poor Ofsted report

Busill Jones Primary School, in Ashley Road, Bloxwich, was branded inadequate after inspectors identified a raft of problems including the quality of teaching and learning, leadership, safeguarding, attendance and pupil achievement.

But a follow up visit just over 12 months on has brought more positive news for the school with inspectors pleased with the action being taken to address the problems.

In a letter to principal Stephanie Field, Ofsted inspector Jane Spilsbury said: “The inspection was the first monitoring inspection since the school became subject to special measures following the inspection that took place in April 2018.

“Having considered all the evidence, I am of the opinion that at this time: leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.

“The local authority’s statement of action is fit for purpose and the school’s improvement plan is fit for purpose.”

She added that the school would still not be able to appoint newly qualified teachers until after the next monitoring inspection.

In the 2018 report, Busill Jones Primary – which caters for more than 320 pupils – was given the lowest possible rating of “inadequate” in all key areas assessed by inspectors.

These were the effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcomes for pupils and early years development.

The school was ordered to carry out a string of actions to improve including urgently reviewing safeguarding practices, significantly accelerating pupil progress in reading, writing and maths at key stages 1 and 2, ensure teachers make better use of lesson time and raise pupil attendance.