IT certainly is a damning Ofsted report on our biggest school and will come as a massive shock to many parents.
But they will also be puzzled as to why Colne Valley Specialist Arts College, which achieved its best ever GCSE results last year, can be classed as inadequate and has been placed in special measures.
It seems such a paradox.
The inspectors have decreed that it is failing and state that students are often bored and not achieving their full potential, teaching is inadequate, leaders have little impact and the governing body is not doing enough.
They seem to be criticising the culture of the school more than anything and that can be exceptionally hard to turn around.
It will require a radical change in thinking by many people involved within the school.
After all, this is now all about confidence in the school and if things don’t change rapidly – and be seen to change – then there is a danger the problems may spread to the results.
What has happened is a major landmark in Huddersfield’s educational history – make no mistake – and it will also be a shockwave to other schools throughout Kirklees.
The spotlight is now on Colne Valley Specialist Arts College more than ever before for the sake of the current pupils and those due to go there in the coming years.
