AN MP has called for “urgent and widespread improvement” at a failing secondary school branded as inadequate across the board by Ofsted.

Inspectors released a damning report following their visit to Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough, giving the school the lowest rating possible across every aspect of provision at the site with more than 1,000 pupils.

The school will now be placed into special measures and removed from the control of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to become an academy. The Regional Schools Commissioner for the North-East is expected to announce a sponsor shortly.

The worrying assessment by Ofsted comes weeks after Freebrough Academy in Brotton was also branded as inadequate by inspectors.

Simon Clarke, MP for Middlesbrough south and east Cleveland, said: “Laurence Jackson is the second East Cleveland secondary school to be judged Inadequate by Ofsted this year, and this report must drive urgent and widespread improvement. 

“It is really encouraging that Ofsted specifically note that since the appointment of Mrs Catherine Juckes as head teacher in September, leaders now have an appropriate focus on the key priorities for improvement, and that will be the main focus of our meeting.

“I also want to talk about some specific concerns like how well the school uses pupil premium and SEND funding.”

Mr Clarke has applied to hold a Parliamentary debated on secondary school standards in east Cleveland. He is also expected to meet the head teacher at Laurence Jackson and the chairman of governors on May 17.

He added: “As someone who is married to a teacher, I know how hard teachers work to support their pupils.  This is not about having a go at the staff of the school, but it is about being brave enough to make all the changes that are required to allow local children to succeed.

“One of my top priorities as East Cleveland’s MP is to ensure all our young people fulfil their potential.  There is nothing inevitable about these problems: Outwood Academy Bydales in Marske was rated outstanding in all categories in 2018, and Nunthorpe Academy is likewise rated good.

“On the same note, we have some of the top performing primary schools in the country.  Our focus needs to be on maintaining that progress at secondary level."