A SCHOOL in Taunton has hit out at Ofsted ahead of a new inspection verdict – carried out after a former head teacher suddenly departed.
Officials at Pyrland School, formerly Taunton Academy, have raised concerns about the “conduct of Ofsted inspectors and the integrity of the process”.
The school was inspected in January, just three weeks after the unexpected departure of its head teacher.
Despite pleas from bosses to defer the inspection through fears of the impact it might have on staff, they were told it must go ahead.
However, it was paused on the first day when inspectors also logged concerns about the impact on staff welfare – but restarted two days later, which the school said was at the insistence of Ofsted.
The body, which hit the headlines following the death of head teacher Ruth Perry in 2023 after an inspection, later apologised to Pyrland for the inspection process – but has not changed or presented any plans for a fresh visit.
As a result, staff are now braced for the release of a report they say “does not recognise the hard work and extra staff support which has brought real progress”.
It comes as the school, as Taunton Academy, faced a number of challenging Ofsted inspections. In 2017, it was rated inadequate, and at two following visits – in 2018 and 2022 – it was ranked as requiring improvement.
Since then, it has been taken over by the Richard Huish Trust.
Now, staff have been given a preview of the new report – set for release tomorrow (April 29) – which they say is a “disappointment”.
“While the school acknowledges there is still some way to go on the journey at Pyrland and we have already started to respond to Ofsted’s feedback, there is particular disappointment that the inspectors failed to recognise progress made since the pandemic,” a spokesperson said.
“We are disappointed at a suggestion in the report that the school has gone backwards since its most recent inspections.
“It does not recognise the hard work and extra staff support which has brought real progress here.”
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They pointed to Pyrland’s recent highlights as an example of the progress the school has made, including:
• 2024 GCSE exam results suggest that they were the best student outcomes since 2018 (outside of the pandemic period).
• More students than ever achieving standard and strong passes in English and Maths (outside of the pandemic period).
• A healthy student roll and a waiting list of children wanting to join.
• A new school house system has been created to promote inclusivity and belonging.
• Last year it ran a highly successful theatrical production, the first since 2010.
• There is now an enhanced enrichment offer through the school’s “Pyrland Promise”, which provides every child with a wide range of extra curricular opportunities.
• Investment and development of an enhanced learning provision has been made to help meet the needs of children with SEND.
Last week, Pyrland also announced expansion plans to accommodate growing student numbers.
The Richard Huish Trust is working with the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership (MNSP) on other improvement plans.
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That collaboration has begun with the appointment of a new executive head teacher, Mark Lawrence, currently head of Bucklers Mead Academy in Yeovil, who will lead both schools.
Ofsted has been approached for comment in response to the school’s claims.
2024 exam results were absolutely awful. It doesn’t matter if they are the best since 2018 if the 2018 ones were so dire that anything is an improvement.
More students achieving strong passes – that’s because so few did before. I think from memory only 8% of the entire 220 strong year 11 actually passed science core exams. 10 % passing would be horrendous – but it’s a. Improvement in 8!!
New house system – whoop de doo
The school has failed epically for years. 34 senior leaders have come and gone in 11 years.
The school is not the problem – the trust is. They got rid of the last head teacher when they knew ofsted was due in order to be able to write the excuses for when they had been. This is there MO. Read previous reports – it’s all the same – “the school has had significant staffing changes”, “the school has employed a new lead for….” It’s all rubbish. The trust haven’t a clue.