THERE doesn’t seem to be a week that goes by when Ofsted isn’t in Thurrock. Sometimes it is good news and sometimes it is not such glad tidings.
But a check of their records showed that they have not been to William Edwards School in Stifford Clays for over five years!
The last time the government inspectors visited was in December 2010. Under the stewardship of John King MBE, the school was given a grade of Outstanding.
Since then they have been under the leadership of Steve Munday.
Since then their GCSE results (5 A* to C inc English and Maths) have been as follows.
2011: 71%
2012: 71%
2013: 64%
2014: 60%
2015: 57%
To put matters in context, every senior school in Thurrock has been inspected since 2011.
Nov 2011: Gateway Academy: Outstanding
Nov 2011: Harris Academy: Outstanding
June 2013: Grays Convent: Good
Feb 2014: Ockendon Academy: Good
April 2014: Ormiston Park Academy: Requires Improvement
April 2014: Hassenbrook: Requires Improvement
Sept 2014: Gable Hall: Good
Oct 2014: St Clere’s: Good
June 2015: Hathaway Academy: Good
Ockendon Academy, Ormiston Park Academy and Gateway Academy have also been subject to Section 8 inspections after (we believe) certain welfare concerns in relation to the day to day running of the school.
Palmer’s College has also undertaken an inspection which graded them as Requires Improvement. Perhaps Palmer’s would welcome an inspection from a school where many of its students come from.
A spokesperson for Ofsted: "Legislation states that schools judged outstanding are exempt from inspections (see the School inspection handbook, point 12.)
"However, Ofsted carries an annual risk assessment and can bring forward an inspection if we have concerns about a school".
William Edwards school has not responded to our press inquiry at the time of publication.
