A Lewisham secondary school branded 'inadequate' by Ofsted is set to join forces with an academy group to 'help make it a first choice for more local parents’.

Sedgehill School, one of the largest comprehensives in Lewisham, will become part of a group of other primary and secondary schools under the United Learning trust across the country, including Lambeth Academy.

An interim executive board had been put in place in September 2015 as well as both a chief executive officer and head of school.

An Ofsted report published in February 2016 found the overall effectiveness of the school to be ‘inadequate’, including the effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment and outcomes for pupils.

A summary of key findings also said that safeguarding was ineffective, not all staff demonstrated an awareness of current statutory guidance or safeguarding and that leaders were overgenerous in their evaluations of the school.

Signed by Irene Cleaver, the Chair of the Interim Executive Board (IEB), a letter was sent to parents last Thursday (June 29) about the transition this autumn.

It said: “We are writing to you to let you know that from September 1, 2017, Sedgehill School will move on to the next stage in its school improvement journey.

“Since the Ofsted judgement last year, there has been a period of uncertainty for the school and we are grateful to Mrs Scannell and Mr Milliken and all the staff for continuing to move the school forward during this difficult period.

“Working with the Department of Education and the local authority, we have entered a ‘school improvement’ partnership with United Learning.

“This will last for three academic years and means that the school can access the support it needs and achieve certainty and continuity in its leadership.”

It adds that Robert Ellis and Bernie Borland, who were on the IEB, are standing down and that Irene will remain for at least a year in its reshuffle.

A November 2016 report said that, although inspectors believed that there had been improvements in some areas, others still fell behind.

Lewisham Council's cabinet member for children and young people, councillor Paul Maslin said: “Our priority continues to be improving education for present and future students at Sedgehill School.

“There has been a period of uncertainty while an academy sponsor has been sought.

“We are pleased that this is now at an end and that the school is beginning a partnership with the successful and popular Lambeth Academy, part of United Learning.

“United Learning is a trust with a strong reputation and track record of improving schools in inner London, [and] Sedgehill will remain a community school and will still be a part of the family of schools in Lewisham.”