A COVENTRY boarding school which charges up to £44,000 per year has submitted an ‘action plan’ to solve ‘serious failings’ identified by a watchdog.
The National Mathematics and Science College (NMSC) in Westwood Way, Coventry, was sent an urgent notice in February from the government’s Department for Education (DfE).
In the notice the DfE called for an ‘action plan’ to improve boarding provision and claimed its various approaches had been rebuffed by the school.
We had confirmation last week that the action plan – submitted before a final deadline of March 13 – has been received by the DfE and is currently being reviewed.
The private school’s website says it provides a world-class education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to students aged 15 and over who wish to gain places at the world’s leading universities.
The school was inspected by watchdog Ofsted in May last year and ‘requires improvement’ – despite being ranked ‘good’ in everything other than effectiveness of leadership and management.
The report concluded that the school does not meet all of the national minimum standards for boarding schools.
Concerns were raised in the report about safety of medication storage, preventing unauthorised persons gaining access to accommodation and effectiveness of welfare provision.
The DfE’s notice states: “The failings identified in the report relate to the boarding provision at the school constitute serious failings under the National Minimum Standards for Boarding schools.
“Whilst the outcome of the inspection alone has not warranted the notice.
“The action plan you submitted on June 28 2018 was not deemed acceptable by Ofsted.
“The department has since contacted you on a number of occasions requesting a new action plan and photographic evidence to demonstrate the actions you had proposed had been carried out.”
The DfE threatened to revoke the school’s license and remove it from the Register of Independent Schools.
But the DfE told us on Friday (March 29): “We have received an action plan from the NMSC in Coventry and it is currently being reviewed. More information will be available in due course.”
The school claims it currently has 73 students out of a potential capacity of 200.
It charges £29,500 per year for day students and a further £14,800 for boarders, Ofsted claims.
The school’s principle Antonia Giovanazzi said: “OFSTED recommended that we make five changes to how we operate our boarding facilities.
“Four of these changes were implemented during the time of the inspection.
“The final change was implemented by February as part of the action plan previously submitted to OFSTED.
“We are also proud of our students’ achievements: In 2018, 100 per cent of our students achieved A*/A in Mathematics A Level and 90% A*- B across all other STEM subjects.
“Local students are awarded full scholarships if they pass our mathematics entrance exam.
“Three local children are already studying at NMSC under the scholarship scheme and paying no fees.”
