County Durham school hit by RAAC concrete crisis gets 'Outstanding' Ofsted inspection
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveA County Durham school hit by the RAAC concrete crisis has defied the odds to get an Outstanding Ofsted inspection.
St. Leonard's Catholic School, in Durham, was one of only two secondary schools in England to be impacted by the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) crisis. The cheaper, lightweight material is prone to crumbling at the end of its 30-year lifespan.
The school was largely shut just as the 2023/24 academic year began and its 1,300 students, aged 11 to 18, faced losing face-to-face teaching for much of the first term of the year. Some were taught in alternative venues, including nearby Ushaw College and a hotel, as well as temporary accommodation on site.
School bosses petitioned for an uplift in GCSE and A-level exam results, but were turned down by the Department for Education. Nevertheless, 40% of students were awarded top A*/A grades at A-level, and 82% of students gained entry into their first choice universities.
Despite the upheaval, St Leonard's received an Outstanding Ofsted result in all five areas inspected in October. The school was judged Outstanding in quality of education; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management and sixth-form provision.
According to the report: "Pupils love coming to school. Their high attendance rates are evidence of this. Pupils are effusive about the range of opportunities the school provides. Students in the sixth form listen to talks from a multitude of guest speakers."
It also pointed to "significant improvements for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)".
In 2022, the school was given a "requires improvement" grade by inspectors, who said the school's leadership had been "inconsistent" and had "lacked sufficient rigour and coherence", while also noting the challenges posed by "high levels of staff turnover".
Ofsted has now stopped giving overall one or two-word judgements after a change in policy.
Chris Hammill, headteacher at St Leonard's who was also in post at the time of its 2022 inspection, said: "The challenge the school community has faced puts this achievement into even greater perspective.
"I'd like to pay tribute to the exceptionally hard work and dedication of all my colleagues who have gone through one of the toughest experiences they will ever face in teaching. The pupils' actions too have been utterly commendable."
Nick Hurn, CEO of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (BWCET), said: "Leaders, governors, parents, teachers and pupils alike have all demonstrated a commitment to achieving the highest standards, and supporting an environment where teachers succeed and where pupils thrive in an academic and nurturing environment. This 'Outstanding' rating is a testament to the whole school community."
In July, Durham County Council approved plans for St Leonard's Buildings affected by unsafe concrete to be demolished and replaced with a new campus. Construction of the school is expected to be completed in 2027.
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