Big turnaround for school

A school which says it has worked hard to turnaround its fortunes has been oversubscribed by more than 100 pupils.
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Thomas Middlecott Academy in Kirton says that for the first time in its history it has received more applications than places available for September 2020.

Joanne Myhill-Johnson, principal, says the increase is a result of the hard work of the entire school team.

Across Lincolnshire as a whole, more than 90 per cent of students received their first place.

Of the 8,239 children applying to secondary schools, 90.2 per cent (7,433) will receive a place at their first choice school, says Lincolnshire County Council.

Currently 6.9 per cent (565) have been offered a place at their second preference, with 1 per cent (84) receiving a place at their third choice.The 1.9 per cent (157) who haven’t got one of their preferred schools will be offered a place at the closest school in Lincolnshire with spaces available.

Parents have until noon on March 30 to lodge an appeal if they are unhappy with the offered school.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for children’s services, said: “It is good to see so many families receiving offers at their first preference school and this figure is likely to be even higher by September.”

At Thomas Middlecott, the increased interest in the school has been reflected by the most recent Ofsted inspection which saw the school’s rating from Inadequate to Requires Improvement.

The report recognised significant changes had been made and the school had turned a corner due to the ambitions and vision of the leadership.

Joanne said: “This significant increase is a result of the tremendous hard work of the entire team at this school over the past eighteen months. To be oversubscribed in September is testament to this and it really does make it all feel worthwhile because people are seeing change.

Students and staff now feel very proud of their school, which has led to greater stability among the teaching staff.

“We have also improved behaviour significantly and there is a recognition that the academy is stricter than it was before.

“We know that there is still much work to do, but I am confident we will continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years.”