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13 Apr 00

THE MARTIN KEMP-WELCH SCHOOL

An OfSTED inspection report by Her Majesty's Inspectors at the Martin Kemp-Welch School, Poole has found that insufficient improvement has been made to address the 'serious weaknesses' identified since the school's last inspection in April 1999.

The inspection which took place over 2 days in February 2000, examined progress achieved by the school in addressing key areas for improvement including curriculum planning, teaching, management and evaluation.

Because of insufficient improvement, the school has now been placed in 'special measures'. This means that the school has to improve the education provided within two years.

Shirley Goodwin, Education Policy Director, Borough of Poole, said: "Action to address these issues is already underway. I want to reassure pupils and parents that every effort is being made to achieve the necessary improvements as quickly as possible. We promise to keep parents informed of the action we are taking and update them on our progress. We will need their support during this difficult time. Much good work has already been done and we will be building on this to make Martin Kemp-Welch into the successful school the teachers, pupils, parents and the community deserve".

Action already underway to address the problems identified in the report includes:

· The appointment of John Masters, a Southampton Headteacher, as an Associate Head to work with Keith Baldock, Headteacher of The Martin Kemp-Welch School on improving the quality of teaching and learning.
· Additional Local Education Authority Governors and training to help the School's Governing Body fulfill its performance management role.

Cllr Annette Brooke, Chairman of the Education Committee, said: "The education of our children is our fundamental concern. Parents can be assured that what needs to be done will be done to improve the quality of education. By taking action we will ensure the school moves quickly and effectively out of special measures".

Over the next 6-8 weeks the Headteacher, Governors and the LEA will be working on an action plan for improvement. In addition to stating how the school will improve, the plan will include detailed monitoring and evaluation and establish criteria for measuring success. Once agreed by the Standards and Effectiveness Unit at the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) a date for removal from 'special measures' will be agreed. If a school is not out of 'special measures' within two years, it must be given a 'Fresh Start' as a new school or closed.

Keith Baldock, Headteacher, Martin Kemp-Welch School, said: "The staff are 100% committed to our students and want them to achieve the skills and qualifications they deserve. In 1999, 22% of pupils achieved 5 A*-C grades at GCSE and our target for next year is 30%. To ensure we continue to improve, a new curriculum will be introduced from September and there will be some changes to the current responsibilities held by some staff. All of the improvements put in place by the school's Governors, staff and the LEA will ensure that every one of our pupils has the education and support they need to succeed".

Once an action plan has been agreed, the school will be eligible to receive additional money from the Government's Standards Fund which will be targeted to help the school raise standards.

Announced on Tuesday, the school has already been awarded £1.5 million New Deal funding by the Government. Dr Shirley Goodwin, Education Policy Director, Borough of Poole, said: "This funding is a welcome and much needed boost which will be used to improve the school's science laboratories and provide a better learning environment for all the staff and children. Improving school facilities can not only help to raise educational standards but will also ensure the school is able to make the best use of its facilities and meet curriculum demands".

Jeff Hart, Education Chief Advisor, said: "It is crucial that staff morale is maintained. We are dependent upon their commitment and enthusiasm and will ensure that the extra training and support are provided to help raise standards".

Norman Taylor, Chairman of the Governors, said: "The Governors are absolutely determined that the school will be removed from special measures and that the improvement needed will be achieved at the earliest opportunity. A number of new school Governors have recently been appointed and this will help the Governing Body to monitor the speed and effectiveness of the changes we are putting in place. No-one under-estimates the amount of work still to be done but the Governors and the teaching staff are fully confident that the Senior Management team has the necessary drive and determination to ensure that the changes are introduced quickly and to ensure that thereafter the standards are maintained".

-ends-

Jeff Hart, Education Chief Advisor, tel: (01202) 633733