Progress made to improve Stone Lodge Academy in Ipswich

The education watchdog said that while there had been improvements at Stone Lodge Academy, in Stone Lodge Lane West, "more work is necessary" for it to be no longer judged as having "serious weaknesses".

An inspection of the school for children with complex needs was held in January and deemed the school 'inadequate' in terms of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management - with only personal development being rated as 'requires improvement'.

Nikos Savvas, chief executive of Eastern Education Group (Image: Eastern Education Group)

In the summer, the Department for Education issued a warning to Eastern Education Group, which runs Stone Lodge Academy, that funding could be cut if improvements weren't made.

But a monitoring inspection from the schools watchdog in November found that "leaders have made progress to improve the school".

However, it added "more work is necessary for the school to no longer be judged as having serious weaknesses".

A change in leadership in the school, improvements to the safeguarding and a firm stance on managing student's attendance have all contributed to the progress Stone Lodge Academy has made.

The Department for Education, led by Bridget Phillipson, issued a warning to the school earlier in the year (Image: Ben Whitley/PA Wire)

As part of the report, an Ofsted inspector wrote: "The school is at the early stages of making the comprehensive changes needed to improve pupils’ education. Leaders know there is more to do and have a clear plan to enact the changes needed."

Dr Nikos Savvas, chief executive of Eastern Education Group, said: “After a difficult Ofsted visit in January of this year, colleagues from across the school and the wider group have worked tirelessly to put things right.

“Together we’ve rebuilt trust, strengthened leadership, and created clear, robust systems that make safeguarding everyone’s responsibility. We believe we have created a real culture of care, confidence, and accountability - where pupils and families know they’ll be listened to and supported.

“Therefore, the recent monitoring visit shows just how far the school has come. Ofsted found that Stone Lodge is now well placed to secure rapid improvement, and that safeguarding is effective.

“This is a huge turnaround in such a short space of time, and a reflection of the commitment, compassion, and teamwork shown by everyone involved.

“Inspectors also praised the improvements in attendance, communication with families, and the consistency of support for pupils.

“Elsewhere, curriculum changes, especially in reading, are having a real impact. Governors and group colleagues were praised for the strength of their support and whilst there is still more to do, the progress since January has been significant, sustained, and inspiring.

“And later in the year, a new headteacher will be put in full time post to help Stone Lodge continue on their journey towards outstanding.”