Failing organisation, high staff turnover, stakeholders in revolt, how to lead out of a ‘crisis’

by Herminder Channa, Principal - Ark Boulton Academy
 

Metric Measure

Then 2015

Turning point 2017

Now 2020

Progress score

Below average

National average

Above national average
 

Pupil roll (900 max)

869 (falling roll)

891

909 (oversubscribed)

First choice applications (180 spaces)

41

97

151

Staff retention 3 +years

32%

61%

97%

Leave at 16+being able to access a level 3 course

82%

93%

100%

Financial Health

Deficit

Sustainable

1.5% Surplus saved from income

 
 So, how did we, Ark Boulton do it?
A decade of underachievement, re-brokerage to a second academy chain, high levels of supply staff and judged as an inadequate academy by Ofsted, twice. It was no surprise that parents and carers who trusted the education of their sons and daughters to their local community school, educationalist and operational staff that worked at there were left feeling hurt, angry and confused about the decline of th...