MP gives his full support to academy team (From thisisoxfordshire)

MP gives his full support to academy team

9:30am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News

OXFORD East MP Andrew Smith has thrown his support behind Oxford Academy after it was plunged into special measures.

Figures released from the Department for Education this week showed it was the worst performing secondary in Oxfordshire. Only 26 per cent of pupils at the Sandy Lane West school achieved five A* to Cs at GCSE including English and maths.

This was below the Government benchmark of 40 per cent.

Mr Smith said he was confident the school had a brighter future and also gave his backing to executive headteacher David Brown.

Mr Brown was appointed in January and pledged to improve results.

Oxford Academy opened in September 2008 and replaced Peers School.

Mr Smith said: “David Brown and his team will have my full support and I welcome the initiatives they are taking, like more one-to-one teaching.”

In Peers School’s last year only 18 per cent of pupils achieved five A* to Cs including English and Maths.

It also went into special measures in October 2005 and came out under the leadership of headteacher Lorna Caldicott in January 2007.

Mr Smith added: “A lot of good measures have already been taken but currently they are not reflected in results.

“One of the problems the academy has had is that most of the primary schools that were feeding it were struggling as well. As pupils from the feeder primary schools which are improving go into the academy, that will benefit the results.

“There’s a long way to go but I believe the academy team will continue their good work.”