Single-academy trust convertor issued Notice to Improve

The Department for Education has issued a formal notice to improve single-academy trust convertor Nettleham Infant and Nursery School in Nettleham, Lincolnshire, citing governance and leadership failures requiring immediate intervention.

The Department for Education stated that the directive “signals significant concerns regarding the institution's governance, leadership, and overall educational standards. The intervention marks a critical juncture for the Lincolnshire-based school, requiring immediate and comprehensive action to address systemic failures identified by regulatory bodies.

It added: “Moving forward, the leadership at Nettleham Infant and Nursery School must engage with the Regional Director to draft a comprehensive improvement plan. This document will outline specific, time-bound targets for addressing the identified weaknesses, alongside the metrics that will be used to assess progress. Regular monitoring visits will be conducted to ensure compliance, and failure to demonstrate sufficient improvement could result in more severe sanctions, including the termination of the school's funding agreement.

“Ultimately, the goal of the notice to improve is not punitive, but restorative. By forcing a rigorous examination of institutional practices, the Department for Education aims to ensure that every child at Nettleham receives the high-quality, safe, and nurturing early education they are legally entitled to.