A SCHOOL subjected to a brutal Ofsted report which used words like ‘shocking, depressing, disastrous and sorrowful’ is to be taken over by an academy trust headed by the man credited with turning around two of Barnsley’s most challenging schools.
Darton College was put in special measures by Ofsted late last year and will now be taken on by Delta Academies Trust.
Steve Wragg, who chairs the Interim Executive Board at the school, said the new trust would likely mean changes to the uniform, behaviour policy and curriculum, and said neither he nor anyone at Darton had any say over the decision to bring Delta in.
But he said he was committed to working with Delta to get the best for Darton College.
“I’ve got two kids at the school myself, so I’m absolutely in this for the long haul,” he said.
“Year nine have just chosen their options for GCSEs, that was a curriculum we intended to deliver, but it looks like we are going to have to revisit that.
“At Darton pupils are allowed to use their mobile phones, as a learning tool, and in their social time. I understand that in Delta mobile phones are banned.
“It will mean changes, but we’re going to work through that as best as we can.”
Since last year’s damning Ofsted report, principal Kate Davies has been supported by Pepe Di’Iasio, head teacher of Wales High School in Rotherham, who was brought in as executive head teacher to oversee Darton.
But that relationship is to end, and Delta is instead being brought in to take over the school long term.
In a letter to parents at the time of the report’s publication, the school said ‘we do not feel the report gives an entirely fair reflection of our school’ or the ‘improvements made over the last three years’.
But this week Delta said in a statement to the Chronicle that the Ofsted report was ‘both accurate and factual in its assessment of current performance’.
Kate told the Chronicle: “We can confirm that we have now been informed that Delta Academies Trust has been chosen by the regional schools schools commissioner and the Department for Education as the preferred sponsor for Darton College.
“Our work with Wales High School will cease at Spring Bank. We are really grateful for the support that they have given us all, both myself and the staff, in the period since the inspection and would like to place on record my thanks to Pepe and the team from Wales High.”
Delta Academies Trust is headed by chief executive Paul Tarn, who was formerly employed by Outwood Grange Academies Trust and was executive principal at both Carlton and Shafton ALCs. He oversaw their transition from ‘failing schools’ to Outwood Academies. Both saw dramatic improvements in their GCSE results, but both also saw dramatic increases in the number of pupils excluded through tough new behaviour policies.
Coun Tim Cheetham, Barnsley Council’s education spokesman, said he was pleased to see a trust headed by Mr Tarn brought in, and expected to see a replication of the successes at Carlton and Shafton.
“Delta is a new trust to Barnsley, but they have some similarities with Outwood in terms of approach, and clearly they share the same experience in Paul Tarn.
“He’s a local lad, and he’s clearly very committed to the town. I know it means a lot to him.
“He’s certainly always keen to work with us to drive improvements, so we look forward to working with him and Delta.
“Darton is a very different proposition to Carlton and Shafton. Darton is in a much better position than they were at the time.
“We look forward to seeing what can be achieved at Darton.”
Gareth Mason, assistant director of education at Delta Academies Trust and member of the interim executive board for Darton College, said: “Darton College is currently in special measures.
“The Ofsted report is both accurate and factual in its assessment of current performance. Inevitably for the school to perform and to provide students with the outcomes they have a right to expect, some changes will be required.
“The school benefits from two significant advantages - hardworking and committed staff, and parents with high aspirations for their children.
“We will be holding meetings to consult parents about how we can transform Darton into a very high performing Academy, which gives all students the very best outcomes to support their success in their next steps in education, training or employment.”
