Ormiston Academies Trust schools in Ilkeston 'failing' ahead of merger

BOTH of Ilkeston's school academies – run by the same charitable trust – are failing to give pupils an adequate standard of education and have been placed in special measures.

Last December, Ormiston Ilkeston Academy was rated as "inadequate" by inspectors from the Office for Standards in Education.

Interim head teacher Gareth Jones, bottom right, has spoken of his disappointment after Ormiston Ilkeston Academy was criticised by school inspectors.
Gareth Jones

It has now been joined by Ormiston Enterprise Academy – only months before the two are due to merge, against many parents' wishes, because of falling rolls.

The inspectors criticised standards in English and maths, which they said were "well below average" and expressed concern that since the academy opened in September 2011, "teaching and learning have been too slow to improve".

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Interim head Gareth Jones was described in the report as demonstrating "a passion for improvement and has quickly and accurately assessed where change is needed".

He said: "Everyone is disappointed with the Ofsted outcome but we have the drive and determination to tackle the issues identified in the report.

"Ormiston Academies Trust has put together a rigorous action plan with us to ensure the academy is focussed on the key areas for improvement.

"I would like to reassure parents that we are absolutely committed to providing a good standard of education for students."

The Ormiston Academies Trust said that governors and school leaders at Ormiston Enterprise Academy were "working with the Department for Education to improve standards after the critical Ofsted inspection".

Mike Gibbons, of the trust, said: "A great deal has been done to improve teaching and learning and we expect to see an increase in results at Enterprise in 2013."

A 1,000-name petition was handed over opposing the merger last November.

However, despite this, it was given the go-ahead by the Government in January.

Helen Clark, chairman of Erewash Labour's local government committee, said: "Children in Cotmanhay faced a bright future before academy conversion.

"But now they are being forced to accept substandard education – for what?"