Heycroft Primary School in Eastwood to become part of academy

Southend Council is working closely with the Department for Education to select the most suitable academy to take over Heycroft Primary School in Benvenue Avenue in Eastwood.

The education watchdog gave the school the lowest-possible rating in February, days after the entire governing body resigned. Governors had faced criticism from Southend Council over the way the school was being managed.

Helen Boyd, councillor responsible for children’s services, education and learning, said: “The decision as to which academy trust will run a local authority school following an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted judgement sits with the Department for Education.

“Our priority is always the education, wellbeing and safety of children at all schools across Southend, and we want what is best for them and their future.

“We will therefore be working with the DfE and the multi-academy trust selected by the DfE to ensure that the current improvement work of the leadership team at the school continues until the school formally becomes an academy.”

Hadleigh Junior School headteacher Glenn Moore has been working as the executive interim headteacher of the school, which has 397 pupils aged from four to 11.

Mr Moore’s school in Hadleigh forms part of the South East Essex Academy Trust, which also includes Westcliff High School for Girls.

The trust ruled out taking on the school despite offering its expert advice.

In January, prior to the board’s resignation, governors were told to submit a “rapid improvement plan” but the two-day inspection by Ofsted that followed downgraded the school from “good” to “inadequate”.

Ofsted inspectors said pupils had “not received an acceptable quality of education”. They added: “Some curriculum leaders do not have the skills or experience to evaluate the effectiveness of their subjects.

“Until recently, there have not been effective means of holding leaders and staff to account for the quality of education.”