Learn-AT Academy Trust Jen Southall Resigns Following Dire Ofsted

June 6, 2022 Chopsy Baby

A Bristol Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) which was slated by Ofsted in an inspection this year has seen the CEO of the Multi Academy Trust (MAT) resign.

Lansdown Park Academy, part of the Learn-At MAT, was branded as ‘neglected’ with ‘regular potential for violence‘ in an inspection which took place earlier this year. The Trust has since received a Termination Notice, meaning the school could lose their funding if they don’t come up with a viable Improvement Plan.

Stockwood Ward Councillor Jon Hucker, had previously met with Learn-AT MAT’s CEO Jen Southall, following the inspection to hear about the improvement plan going forward.

But an update to residents from the Conservative Councillors Jon Hucker and Graham Morris for the ward this weekend, said they had now been informed that Southall had ‘resigned’.

Councillor Hucker, has met with Interim CEO Stephen Bradshaw and acting chair Andrea Willis whilst a new CEO is recruited – something which they say may take six months to complete.

The councillors say: ‘Stephen and Andrea welcomed our continued support for their improvement plan. The academy aims to provide high quality learning opportunities and tailored provision for children and young people who have been identified as having social, emotional, mental health (SEMH) needs, social, language and communication needs (SLCN) and autistic spectrum condition (ASC). They also provide learning opportunities and emotional support for children and young people who have not thrived in mainstream school. The academy also aims to transition children back into education or to get the Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP’s) the children require to provide specialist education for them.

‘Systems and resources are being put in place to deliver and monitor the improvements required. The ratio of pupils to staff is 3 to 1. A register of measurable outcomes will be kept and updated. In addition, the academy has just received a grant of £400,000 from the Department for Education to improve its physical learning environment.’