Thomas Knyvett College downgraded by Ofsted

Thomas Knyvett College in Ashford was visited by inspectors on 14 and 15 November

A Surrey school has been downgraded from "good" to "requires improvement" by Ofsted.

Inspectors said learning at Thomas Knyvett College, Ashford, was disrupted when some teachers did not address disruption or disengagement quickly enough.

In a message to parents about the inspectors' report, the college said "robust plans" would mean "rapid" improvement.

Inspectors said not all staff implemented the behaviour policy with consistency.

The report said: "Teachers do not always address disruption or disengagement quickly enough."

"This lack of consistency means that too many pupils refuse the reasonable requests of staff," inspectors added.

They said this could disrupt the learning of others and that some pupils worried about "jostling in the corridor or hearing unkind language during social times".

The report also said the college had maintained its "strong vision to be a fully inclusive school that ‘brings out the best’ in pupils".

In a letter to parents, executive principal Jeanette Cochrane and acting principal Jack Taylor said: "Every child deserves to attend a ‘Good’ school, and our robust plans will ensure that Thomas Knyvett College improves rapidly, well in advance of Ofsted’s next inspection."

The college will hold three Ofsted feedback sessions for parents, and is in the process of recruiting a permanent new principal after a "number of changes to the leadership", the letter said.

Parents were told work would continue on consistency regarding the behaviour management policy, increasing uptake of modern foreign languages at GCSE and improving the curriculum.

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