Class disruption affects learning at Academy, Ofsted

Ofsted says frequent disruption to lessons at The Eastbourne Academy because of behaviour issues "negatively affects pupils' learning".

The education watchdog published a report on the East Sussex school on 19 March after a two-day inspection in January.

The secondary academy's leadership and management, behaviour and attitudes, and quality of education were "inadequate", according to the report.

Executive headteacher Liza Leung said the school had "already implemented a detailed and immediate improvement plan to address the key areas highlighted within the report".

According to Ofsted, The Eastbourne Academy pupils "have not had a consistent and positive experience" but it recognised the changes made recently by school leaders.

Pastoral support is "well developed" at the 800-pupil school but "bullying is a concern" for some pupils, derogatory language is "too common" and "too many pupils do not behave well enough".

Disruptive behaviour has "not been tackled with sufficient urgency", inspectors said.

Poor attendance means pupils are receiving "a fragmented education", according to the report, but new initiatives to support persistent attendance are starting to have an effect.

Pupils' exam grades have been "very low and declined further in 2024" and the curriculum is "not delivered consistently well" at the Swale Academies Trust school, Ofsted said.

The regulator also said the academy's careers education was "precisely targeted" but that personal development at the school "requires improvement".

Inspectors said staffing at the school is now "more stable" following "an extended period of turbulence".

Ms Leung said: "While we are pleased to see Ofsted recognise the improvements we have begun to embed, particularly in learning, behaviour and attendance, we know there is more work to be done."

Swale Academies Trust chief executive Mike Wilson added: "We are working very closely with the school team to ensure both the positive foundations of this report are successfully built upon and areas for development are rapidly improved."

After the previous inspection in 2022, The Eastbourne Academy was given a "requires improvement" overall rating.

The regulator stopped issuing overall one or two-word grades for schools in September 2024.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.