School turns fortunes around after being placed in special measures

A school has turned its fortunes around six years after being placed in special measures. Ofsted inspectors praised Dixons Broadgreen Academy as having been "transformed for the better" since joining a new academy trust. The school has been rated as 'good' for behaviour, leadership and management, personal development and sixth form provision.

Inspectors said the school "had worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education", and added that staff are "unwavering in their dedication to addressing social disadvantage through education". Inspectors also praised the school for its "rigorous process" for identifying the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

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Six years ago in its previous full Ofsted inspection, the secondary school, then known as Broadgreen International School, was placed in special measures by Ofsted. That report highlighted failings across the board, including high absenteeism, bad behaviour and poor academic outcomes.

Three years later, the school joined the Dixons Academies Trust and was renamed Dixons Broadgreen Academy. Today's report said that pupils’ behaviour has "improved considerably" and noted that "most pupils behave well". They also found there to be a "wealth of support in place to help pupils, including the most vulnerable, to attend school more regularly".

However, the report did note areas where the school could improve. It said the overall quality of education on offer "requires improvement" and there is "inconsistency in how effectively teachers deliver the curriculum".

The school's transformation was led by Rachael Fidler, who became principal in 2021 and recently started a new role as school and college trust leader at Dixons Academies Trust. She has been replaced as principal by Adam Samy, who was previously the school’s senior vice principal.

Ms Fidler said: "Our whole community has worked incredibly hard over the past few years, with the support of Dixons Academies Trust, to turn around our school and create the best possible education for all our students. We’re incredibly proud to see the impact of this period of transformation for our students and staff, creating an environment where students feel inspired to learn and succeed.

"I’d like to thank all our hard work and dedicated staff, parents, carers and wider community for their ongoing support. I know that we are all committed to further improving the school and building on our successes. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Adam Samy and the whole team as we focus on plans to improve and enhance provision further.”

Mr Samy added: "I am delighted to be taking on the role of principal and building on the success that’s already taken place. We are all very proud of how far our school has come. I am looking forward to leading our community into this next phase and ensuring our school continues to go from strength to strength with the close support of Rachael Fidler and the whole of Dixons Academies Trust."