Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of Ash Green School on January 31, 2024, following its designation of serious weaknesses after a graded inspection in December 2022. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since the previous inspection, rather than to assign an overall effectiveness grade. The inspection involved discussions with school leaders, trust leaders, and the chair of the trust, as well as classroom visits, safeguarding record reviews, and conversations with students.
The findings indicate that while progress has been made, further work is necessary for the school to no longer be classified as having serious weaknesses. Since taking up the principal position in January 2023, Fuzel Choudhury has collaborated with the trust to enhance the school's leadership capacity and has made key appointments, including to the attendance team. The principal has implemented changes to improve students' experiences, notably by simplifying the behavior management system to clarify expectations for student conduct. Staff training has contributed to more consistent behavior management across the school, resulting in most students behaving well in lessons and contributing to a calm and orderly environment.
Despite a reduction in suspensions, many students still face sanctions that limit their access to the curriculum. Continued focus on behavior management remains a priority. The school has also invested significantly in improving attendance, establishing an attendance improvement team that actively follows up on attendance issues. A range of strategies has been introduced to support students in attending school regularly, leading to improved attendance rates for most groups. However, overall attendance remains below national averages, particularly among disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs.
The school has implemented robust strategies to address incidents of discriminatory behavior, with students receiving education on respectful behavior through various programs. Staff are proactive in addressing such behavior, and most students understand the importance of respect. The school and trust are working collaboratively to address areas of weakness, with trust leaders holding the principal accountable for the necessary improvements. While there have been palpable improvements in the school, there are instances where leaders may have an overly positive view of the school's performance, focusing more on improvements rather than the distance to achieving their ambitions for all students.
A culture of aspiration and respect has been fostered within the school, with students aware of the expectations for hard work and good behavior. Most students meet these expectations, and staff feel supported in their roles, taking pride in the progress being made. The monitoring inspection highlights the ongoing efforts of the school to address its challenges and improve the educational experience for all students. The commitment to continuous improvement is evident, but the school must remain vigilant in its efforts to ensure that all students receive the quality education they deserve. The findings from this inspection will be shared with relevant stakeholders, including the chair of the board of trustees and the regional director of the Department for Education. The letter summarizing these findings will also be published on the Ofsted reports website for public access.
