A head teacher who vowed to improve an underperforming primary school said it has been “challenging”, but believes it is now an academy the area “deserves”.
The Department for Education (DfE) slapped the Woodland Academy Trust, which runs Knockhall Primary School in Greenhithe, with a “termination warning” in February 2024.
The notice meant the school in Eynsford Road could have lost its government funding, which may have led to it closing down or being taken on by another multi-academy trust.
It stated the DfE was not confident the group could “deliver rapid and sustained improvements” at the school, following two Ofsted inspections in September 2019 and June 2023, where it was rated as “requires improvement”.
The letter stated several issues in both reports, including the teaching of reading, curriculum planning, and provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which questioned “the trust’s capacity to drive improvement”.
During the 2023 visit, inspectors said the curriculum “does not have a sufficiently detailed sequence”, meaning teachers do not set tasks to help pupils build “cumulatively sufficient knowledge”.
The education watchdog also stated students are not closing the gaps in their reading, and attendance of those with additional needs is “too low” and “too many are persistently absent”.
For those reasons, the DfE said the trust needed to create a school improvement plan and provide half-term updates on its progress.
Speaking at the time, a spokesperson for The Woodland Academy Trust said work was already underway to address the concerns raised with a new head teacher and a change in school governance, who vowed to turn things around.
Now, more than a year on, head teacher Kathryn Yiannadji believes significant progress has been made to provide the good school that its children and families “deserve”.
Speaking to KentOnline, she said: “Any improvement plan is challenging, but it is another challenge to change people’s perception. I am trying to rebuild our reputation and trust.
“A big part of what we are doing is engaging with families. They deserve the very best for their children, and there was the perception that they were not getting that.
“There was a perception that I was not going to last long, so I needed to show them I was committed to being here and my ambition for the school.
“Everyone was used to people coming in and making changes and then not following it through. I am not doing that.
“We are going to make mistakes. It is not going to be a quick turnaround.
“But we have built up some really lovely relationships with the community, and families can see we are starting to work on the school.”
Since Miss Yiannadji joined the school in January 2024, she has hosted a series of “meet the head” coffee mornings to meet with families and talk about the changes she is making.
She has also been meeting with organisations and charities in the area, leading to grants to improve parts of the facility, and joined a government scheme to offer free breakfast, which has been taken up by around 180 pupils.
She said: “We see comments on Facebook of parents being disappointed that their children got a place at Knockhall. But now, others are replying, saying their children are having an amazing time here.
“I am honest, I know we may not be their first choice, but when they get here, we will do everything we can to keep our children happy.
“We have had to work hard and do extra to get here. It does take time, and it has taken the whole team.”
Chief executive of The Woodland Academy Trust, Nav Sanghara, added: “We are ambitious for our communities first and foremost. We are building something together for everyone.
“We have been working with the wider community to show that Knockhall is a community school, and we have a lot to give.
“We are passionate about serving this community and trust. These changes have happened, and it has taken a lot of hard work and heart.”
And the school’s hard work has been recognised by Ofsted following a monitoring visit in October, whose purpose is to report on progress made since the previous full inspection.
Inspector Nina Marabese said that leaders had made progress to improve the school, although some aspects still needed further changes.
She praised the primary academy for focusing on the curriculum by setting “ambitious” end points for its pupils and creating clarity on what they intend to learn.
The report added: “The school has deliberately focused on a number of subjects at a time. In doing so, the school has created a balance of making rapid improvement, while not overloading staff with multiple changes.”
However, Ms Marabese said a “small number” of subjects still need improving, which the school is now developing to ensure changes are in place across the whole curriculum.
Miss Yiannadji, who previously worked at Peareswood Primary School in Erith, which is part of the same trust, said she had used her former school’s “strong” curriculum and adapted it to her pupils.
For example, staff have implemented smaller working groups so pupils are learning with others of a similar ability to ensure everyone achieves well.
She explained that some of their families move around a lot, causing students to join partway through the year, so this change ensures they do not fall behind.
The inspector highlighted “rapid” improvements in regards to teaching early reading and phonics, and staff’s commitment to SEND provision.
The report also recognised the increase in children’s attendance, stating overall figures had “decreased immensely” and the “school is doing all it reasonably can” by working with parents and external agencies.
It added: “The school has identified well the actions that need to be taken, and in what order, to improve.
“Effective support has been provided by the academy trust and the local academy committee. This has resulted in rapid improvement, especially in the quality of education and attendance.”
One of the main achievements Miss Yiannadji said she is proudest of is the change in the school’s culture to make sure staff are happy, inspired and want to work at Knockhall.
Ms Sanghara added: “She has come in and established these relationships with families and staff. She has really inspired them and created a culture where people feel valued and heard.
“You can feel it around the school by seeing how everyone is interacting with each other.”
This was also recognised by the inspector, who praised the school for its “consistent approach to staff well-being” following multiple changes of leadership.
Ms Marabese added: “Staff are now motivated and inspired by the vision for the school.”
Speaking about the report, Miss Yiannadji said: “You cannot do everything immediately, as much as I wanted to come in and improve everything at once.
“However, the interim inspection report in October was really positive and touched on everything we have been doing. It was really lovely to read.
“I believe we are far closer now to providing what every family deserves from their local school, and I think we are seeing the benefits of that because we are inviting families in, and they want to come.
“The children are really happy, they are excited. We are seeing improved outcomes, and parents and families are feeling listened to.
“Our families want to bring their children here, more people are applying for jobs here, and people are more committed to the school. They know there is change and they want to be part of it.”
Knockhall Primary School has been part of The Woodland Trust since January 2017.
