A troubled Kent secondary school has made improvements after a damning Ofsted report – but the new head says “there remains much to do".

Sandwich Tech was rated “Inadequate” in May last year and subsequently warned the government could hand it over to a new academy trust.

Headmistress at the time, Tracey Savage, called the report “narrow, disproportionate and unjustified” before stepping down.

In January, she was replaced by interim head Simon Sharples, who said “radical change and improvement was required”.

A new report has now been undertaken by Challenge Partners, a charity which teams up with struggling schools to help them improve.

It highlighted significant improvements, as well as areas - including SEN provision - which still need work after a visit late last month.

The school was also visited by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which analysed safeguarding practices.

In a letter sent to parents yesterday (March 26), Mr Sharples said: “This was the first major scrutiny of the school since the Ofsted Inspection last May and the first chance to see if the changes we have made since January have had an impact.

“We were very pleased with the report as it shows how far we have improved as a school.

“We also, however, recognise that there remains much to do and welcome the areas for improvement the report highlighted.”

Sandwich Tech was commended for its reduction in truancy and lateness, as well as its new ‘yellow book’ sanctions policy, which has reduced day-to-day pupil incidents.

Furthermore, the report said children speak positively about the changes made and are optimistic about the school’s future.

Staff understand the expectations of the headteacher and have been informed about key strategic decisions.

Leaders and teachers were also said to create high-quality relationships and mutual respect within the school community.

However, areas for improvement were also noted in the report.

These included the need for teachers to challenge pupils further when learning, and make informed decisions as to whether kids are ready to move onto the next step, adapting their teaching as necessary.

The report also highlighted the need for leaders at all levels to develop a more strategic approach to SEND, with a particular focus on the strategies used in the classroom.

A visit by the NSPCC was commissioned by the school to provide a “robust review”.

Representatives from the charity said: “Safeguarding at Sandwich Technology School is a strong priority.

“Clear systems are in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.

“The school’s safeguarding procedures, including staff training, attendance monitoring, and online safety measures, demonstrate a commitment to proactive safeguarding.”

Mr Sharples added: “As with the Challenge Partners report, despite these positive findings, we are far from satisfied and are determined to do all we can to improve our provision further and tighten our safeguarding procedures wherever we can.”

In May 2024, Ofsted inspectors highlighted bullying, alongside poor behaviour and attendance, as significant issues, saying they created a “chaotic environment”.

Since the inadequate rating, Sandwich Tech was hit with the biggest slump in first-choice applications for this September’s intake.

In December last year, the school was handed a “termination warning notice” by the Department for Education, meaning it could now be shut down and transferred to a multi-academy trust.

A decision on this has not yet been confirmed and the school currently remains a single academy.