Poor attendance levels and exam results have seen a secondary school’s Ofsted rating drop to “requires improvement”.

Previously rated “good” in 2018, St Augustine Academy in Oakwood in Maidstone was inspected again by the independent watchdog in July and the report published yesterday (September 26).

In the report, concerns were raised about the quality of education at the school as well as the leadership and management.

The report said: “Pupils’ performance in recent public examinations has been disappointing. Leaders want pupils to learn more and achieve better.

“This has led to improvements in English and mathematics but, overall, pupils are not achieving well enough.

“Too many pupils have gaps in their learning because they are often absent from school. This particularly affects pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

This extended into how the school adapted the curriculum for SEND students with special educational needs.

These pupils also were not “achieving well enough across the curriculum”.

The report also highlighted concerns over the school’s attendance numbers which is a big topic nationally at the moment with a blanket decrease in regular attendance affecting all learning centres since Covid.

Earlier this year, national school absence levels reached their highest levels at 8.4%, a figure which concerns chief Ofsted inspector Amanda Spielman who believes families have “lost sight” of the need for children to attend school in person.

A spokesman for the school said: “While we take pride in these acknowledged achievements, we are also committed to addressing the challenges that have led to our ‘requires improvement’ grading, with a primary focus on student attendance.

“We acknowledge that student attendance has been a challenge, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are taking this issue seriously and are committed to resolving it promptly.”

‘We are working closely with our Trust to ensure our pupils see nothing but improvements’

The report also highlighted what the school is doing well.

It said: “Pupils now behave very well in lessons and around the school. This has helped teachers and pupils to focus on learning.

“School leaders have planned a curriculum that is ambitious. Pupils get a broad, interesting choice of examined options at key stage 4 and it has a well-structured careers programme for all ages.”

It was also described as a caring school where pupils feel safe and has a “fantastic” extra-curricular and enrichment programme.

Steffan Ball, acting head teacher of St Augustine Academy, said: "We are working closely with our Trust to ensure our pupils see nothing but improvements.

“We have already embarked on a comprehensive improvement plan, which includes targeted strategies to address the areas identified by Ofsted. Our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students remains unwavering.

“We would like to extend our appreciation to our students, parents, and the entire school community for their ongoing support.

“Alongside them and our Trust, we will work diligently to address this challenge and ensure that St Augustine Academy remains a place where every student can thrive.”