Hemel Hempstead academy 'requires improvement' after reading issues raised by inspectors

Hammond Academy, in Cambrian Way, has been told its teaching and curriculum for English are not supporting pupils well enough and must improve its "quality of education".

This is despite being rated "good" in areas such as behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, as well as early years provision.

In response to the feedback, the academy says it is taking action to improve support for students.

Interim principal Eileen Anderson told the Gazette: "While naturally very disappointed in the overall outcome, we will not lose sight of the very many positive comments the inspectors made about Hammond which were all graded as “Good”.

"Parents are aware from the weekly newsletter that reading is a priority for the school this year.

"A new approach to the teaching of reading in key stage 2 was introduced in October and new resources have been identified to support the reading of lower attaining key stage 2 pupils.

"The inspectors were confident that this approach and the new resources would reap good results; however, because it is too soon to see the impact of this new approach and of the new resources, they were not yet able to judge the teaching of reading as “Good” at this first inspection of the new framework."

The school, which is part of the Aspire Academies Trust, converted into an academy in August 2011.

When its predecessor school was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be "outstanding" overall.