Drew Povey: "This a sad day for Harrop Fold and our community" as school is placed into special measures
The former head teacher of Harrop Fold responds to the Ofsted report branding the school 'inadequate'.
The school made famous by Channel 4's Educating Greater Manchester has been placed into special measures by Ofsted.
Inspectors rated Harrop Fold in Salford ‘inadequate’ in all areas and say it's failing to give pupils an acceptable standard of education.
It comes just a few months after head teacher Drew Povey and three other members of staff were suspended by Salford City Council over issues with record keeping.
Mr Povey, who has strong backing from a network of parents, has since resigned from his post but continues to support the school.
He said: It’s so sad to read the latest Ofsted report for Harrop Fold. There are so many reasons why it’s sad, but primarily because what’s described is unrecognisable from the school that I left in July.
"The longer this situation goes on, the less surprised I am by the statements made, and the reports published about the school. Whilst we knew that we had challenges, what Ofsted describes shows just how quickly a school can be destabilized and take a turn for the worst.
"It’s easy for a new team and the council to point the finger at the previous leadership and to take little responsibility for the current situation, when in truth it is of their making.
"A lot of accusations have been made, without giving individuals the opportunity to respond. Instead, the rhetoric around recent events has been wholly shaped by the new team, and more importantly, the council.
"My greatest sadness lies in the fact that the report doesn’t seem fair. The vast, overwhelming majority, of Harrop students are well-behaved, well-mannered and come to school ready to learn. Harrop staff work tirelessly to make the difference, working through holidays and weekends to support our young people. The governing body, which has some significant leadership practitioners from both the public and private sectors, also appears to be criticised and marginalised too.
"In summary, this a sad day for Harrop Fold school and our community, but I believe people know what the school has, and is, capable of achieving. From the TV cameras in school that have captured the brilliance of the students and staff, through to the numerous senior leaders, from both public and private sectors, that have visited and fallen in love with team Harrop - they can’t all be wrong, and they can’t all have been fooled. This is something that I hope the students and staff remember at this challenging time. As I’ve always maintained - their spirit will shine through"
The Department for Education (DfE) is now set identify an experienced academy sponsor to support the school in making improvements.
Deputy City Mayor, Councillor John Merry, said: “The Ofsted inspectors have identified and highlighted unsafe historic practices at the school, along with poor performance and achievement.
“Practices include the inappropriate, informal exclusion of pupils, deliberate mis-recording of attendance and weak practice in staff recruitment. This has potentially compromised the safeguarding of pupils as leaders and staff have not been in a position to ensure that they are safe.
“I want to reassure all parents that, since the start of the September term, the interim senior leadership team provided by the local authority has stopped these practices. Moreover, Ofsted inspectors highlighted the current leadership as a strength for the school.
“The Greater Manchester Learning Trust, which is providing the interim leadership, is committed to working alongside a new academy sponsor to provide stability and support for as long as needed.
“I know there is a committed and hardworking team at Harrop Fold who want to do the very best for pupils. They should draw positives from the report in which Ofsted says new approaches introduced in many aspects of school life are having a real impact, even if they are at an early stage. It is important the whole school community gets behind the changes and works to common goals.
“There has been a lot of speculation in the community regarding hidden agendas. Once again I want to reaffirm to everyone that the school, governors and local authority all want the same thing – for Harrop Fold pupils to be happy, safe and achieve their best.”