HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has called for the management of troubled Mark Hall Academy to be taken away from the present owners following an Ofsted report that rated the school as “Inadequate”.

AS YH has previously reported, the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) has written to the Midlands-based Academy Transformation Trust (ATT) to warn them that funding may be removed.

With all these events occurring in the heart of his constituency and especially in an area of Harlow (Old Harlow, Newhall, Church Langley) which has and is seeing significant and vital growth, we asked the MP and chair of the House of Commons Education Committee for his thoughts.

Mr Halfon said: “Despite the individual efforts of Mark Hall teachers and support staff, it is clear that the school, pupils and parents have been severely let down by the management and leadership of the Academy. A Notice of Termination from the Academies Commissioner is extremely serious.

Mark Hall has had considerable financial investment from the Government, notably in its new building – but the failures in leadership are unacceptable.

Following the Ofsted report and messages from anxious parents, I contacted the Academy Chain in early July and have meetings planned with AAT and the Regional Schools Commissioner.

My own view is that enough is enough. I will be recommending to the Regional Commissioner and to Baroness Berridge, the Government Minister for Academies, that a new, regional or local academy takes over the school urgently. If other Academy Schools in Harlow can provide a good learning experience for their children, there is no reason why Mark Hall should not be able to as well. ATT has let down parents and pupils in a big way. Their leadership should be held accountable for neglect. This is a disgrace. It is time for a radical change.

In the meantime, ATT needs to reassure – publicly -worried parents and pupils, step by step what they plan to do to give the children the education, pastoral care, and safeguarding changes needed – and that their pupils rightly deserve.

A spokesperson for Mark Hall Academy said:

“The Ofsted report that led to this notice recognises the positive work done by senior leaders and the Trust to move the academy in the right direction following a challenging period. However, we absolutely recognise there is still more to be done and we are working hard to make further and effective improvements.

“The academy is now being led by newly appointed and highly experienced leaders at both executive and academy level, who will continue to drive the academy on its upward trajectory.

“As an academy, we are determined to provide our pupils with the opportunity to strive for excellence every day, and we are committed to ensuring all pupils receive the high-quality education they deserve. We will be working tirelessly alongside students, staff, parents, carers, and the wider academy community to ensure standards and outcomes are raised.”

YH asked ATT, the charity that runs Mark Hall Academy for an interview with the Headteacher Manjit Hazle. We asked on two occasions. Last week and then this morning (Mon July 20th), but ATT replied that it was now the summer holidays and so no-one is available.