OFSTED has published its findings following its visit to Colnbrook Church of England Primary in January, revealing that the school intends to become part of a “multi-academy trust”.

The follow-up visit on 22nd January was the first since the school had been placed in “special measures” in October.

During this inspection, meetings were held with the acting headteacher, consultant headteacher and the executive headteacher, three senior leaders and two members of the governing body. Telephone conversations were held with the Chair of the Governing Body and with a representative of the local authority.

A new Chair of Governors was appointed a few days before this monitoring inspection.

It noted that over the past term, the team of headteachers had acted with “considerable resolve” to stabilise the school. Each teacher had been subjected to at least three lesson observations and an individual appraisal. Two teachers have left the school.

The OFSTED report found that “senior leaders” at the school spoke of rediscovering their “passion for teaching” under the leadership of the new “headship” team.

The letter, published on the OFSTED website, also alluded to improvements being made to ensure the school governors are more effective. A new Chair of Governors was appointed three days before the latest inspection.

OFSTED also noted that plans for the school to become part of a multi-academy trust.

Despite saying the school’s improvement plan and local authority “statement of action” were both “fit for purpose” it did call for some improvements:

“Success criteria relating to progress of all pupils, and progress of different groups of pupils, are not clearly defined. The plan does not clearly specify the type of information required by governors to evaluate the impact of actions to improve the school, nor does it indicate who will produce this information, and when.”

Colnbrook Views understands that suspended former Headteacher Janice Brown has now left the school, with compensation, while the enquiry into financial irregularities and claims of bullying/intimidation has been dropped.