Leading performing arts college rated inadequate

A leading performing arts college has been rated inadequate by Ofsted.

In the latest assessment of Liverpool's LIPA Sixth Form College, Ofsted inspectors handed out the lowest possible rating.

The college, formed in 2016, was previously rated as outstanding in 2019 by the national education regulator.

Principal of the LIPA Sixth Form College, Charles Bartholomew, said the findings were "hugely disappointing" but were taken in the context of "an unprecedented and challenging period of industrial action".

LIPA Sixth Form College is a 16 to 19 academy that is part of The LIPA Multi Academy Trust.

The college provides level three study programmes for students specialising in performing arts.

The inspection in February came amid ongoing strikes by lecturers at the Sixth Form site, which is independent of, but shares a campus with LIPA Higher Education – established in 1995 by former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.

At the time of the inspection there were 402 students following diplomas and extended diplomas in music, acting, dance, musical theatre, technical theatre and design for performance.

During the inspection, the college was experiencing a prolonged period of industrial action with around half of staff on strike for three days per week every week.

Inspectors said the ongoing industrial action had led to lost learning for almost three months.

Officials said students' were "very concerned" about the disruption to teaching.

Staff morale was described as "very low" and the inspection found around half of staff had lost faith in leaders of the multi-academy trust.

Staff on strike told inspectors their only option had been to strike so their voices were heard and some said they faced unsustainable workloads.

Ofsted inspectors recommended the college resolved relationships between striking staff and trustees and returned to the usual teaching timetable, helping students catch up on lost learning, and providing sufficient training for students on wider personal development topics.

Mr Bartholomew said the "unprecedented and challenging" period of industrial action had now been resolved and Ofsted's recommendations fully implemented.

"We are confident that future inspections will reflect the extraordinary achievements of our students and staff, and the outstanding learning environment we've built together," he said.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.