An interim Ofsted report has said Fulwood Academy is improving its safeguarding after a scathing report earlier this year.

Inspectors visited the school in Black Bull Lane on June 13 to see how the academy was tackling the issues highlighted in their February report.

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The interim report, conducted under section 8 of the Education Act 2005, focussed on the effectiveness of safeguarding, which was judged to be ineffective at the previous inspection.

In February, Fulwood Academy was put back into special measures after being downgraded from a previous raking of ‘requires improvement’.

Inspectors found the school was inadequate in all areas, bullying was rife, teachers had poor expectations of pupils and disadvantaged pupils were being handed fixed term exclusions.

But after visiting in June, Ofsted inspector Jonathan Jones stated after considering the evidence he acknowledged leaders are taking effective action to address the areas for improvement related to safeguarding.

Read more: Fulwood Academy is rated ‘inadequate’ in all areas in stark Ofsted report

Philip Grant, Principal of Fulwood Academy, said: “The senior leadership team at Fulwood Academy have invested a great deal of time, energy and focus in devising a plan that will ensure this school is addressing issues raised following Ofsted’s inspection in February.

“When the inspector visited us in June he spoke to approximately 100 pupils and a group of parents regarding safeguarding and concluded that students now feel safe in school and that they are increasingly confident that bullying is being dealt with.

“He has also acknowledged that our own records show incidents of bullying are decreasing, which demonstrates our focus is working.”

The inspectors’ visit came just days after the new headteacher Philip Grant was brought in to replace Stephen Henry, who had recently left the academy.

Last month Mr Grant appointed Andy Haughey to the post of vice principal for behaviour and attendance, after working alongside him to turn around the One In A Million free school in Bradford.

Read more: Fulwood Academy brings in trouble shooter to turn it around

Mr Grant said: “After the initial report in February, I stated that we’re invested in the success of the students and the Academy, but actions are louder than words. Action is taking place and is having a positive impact.

“There will be challenges ahead of us, but we are totally committed to ensuring this school will be a great place, not only to come and learn, but develop as a person too.”S