A row has erupted over the future of Neale-Wade Academy, March, after NE Cambs MP Stephen Barclay MP issued a strongly worded letter raising concerns about performance, leadership, and the response of the Active Learning Trust.
The intervention comes after the Department for Education issued a formal warning that the school could be removed from the trust following its latest inspection outcome.
Writing to regional director Jonathan Duff, the MP said he was “deeply concerned” about the trust’s handling of the situation and its portrayal of progress at the school.
He criticised the trust for downplaying the seriousness of the situation, stating that references to “positive news” and claims that improvement plans were “on the right track” failed to reflect reality.
“This glossed over the fact this is the third Ofsted inspection in a row with an unsatisfactory outcome,” he wrote.
📉 Performance concerns at the centre of dispute
A key issue raised by Stephen Barclay MP is the school’s attainment levels, which he says place it among the lowest performing in the country.
He pointed to Department for Education figures showing just 23.7% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths, compared to a national average of 45.4%.
The MP added that results had declined further from already low figures in previous years.
He also challenged claims by the trust that warning notices are routine, citing evidence that such serious Ofsted outcomes are rare.
⚠️ Warning notice raises prospect of trust removal
The concerns follow a formal Termination Warning Notice issued to the trust on 11 May 2026.
The notice confirmed the school had been judged to require significant improvement and outlined a series of weaknesses identified by inspectors.
PHOTO: Terry Harris
These include shortcomings in pupil achievement, teaching quality, support for vulnerable pupils, and the use of assessment.
The Department for Education warned that it must be satisfied the trust can deliver “rapid and sustainable improvement” — or it will consider transferring the academy to a new trust.
🏫 Previous concerns over trust performance
Stephen Barclay MP said that the Active Learning Trust’s performance at Neale-Wade Academy should not be treated in isolation.
He reminded Mr Duff that two other schools within his constituency had been transferred away from the Active Learning Trust: Littleport and East Cambridge Academy following Ofsted’s judgement of the school as ‘inadequate’ and Burrowmoor Primary School which was also judged inadequate in recent years.
“Given two schools within my constituency have already been removed from the Active Learning Trust, there is a clear pattern of behaviour of inadequate Ofsted inspections by this Trust, in addition to the three inadequate inspections in a row at Neale-Wade Academy,” he said.
“There is a clear pattern of behaviour of inadequate Ofsted inspections by this Trust,” he said.
“It is also important to note that this is not a school that has been left without support, despite its sustained period of under performance. Neale-Wade Academy currently receives £477,300 a year in targeted disadvantage funding through the Pupil Premium, alongside recent additional Covid catch‑up support, and should benefit from the backing and resources of a multi‑academy trust.”
❓ MP demands clarity on next steps
The MP has now called for clear criteria on how any new improvement plan will be judged — and a timeline if it fails.
“It would now be helpful to understand why, despite all the past warnings, there is not already ‘a really clear plan’ in place,” he wrote.
He warned that students’ interests must come first: “They should not be penalised because of the repeated failures of the Active Learning Trust.”
🗣️ Trust defends progress
In response, a spokesperson for the trust struck a more positive tone, insisting improvements are underway.
“We are committed to providing an excellent education… and Neale-Wade’s recent Ofsted report clearly pointed to the improvements and progress that have already been made.”
The trust said further progress had continued since the inspection and expressed confidence in its plan.
“We are confident that Neale-Wade is on the right path, with a robust and thoughtful plan in place.”
They also highlighted participation in a Department for Education improvement programme aimed at accelerating change.
📢 Public pressure grows
Stephen Barclay MP confirmed he is making his concerns public because of the impact on pupils, parents, and staff.
With the trust required to respond by early June, the future of Neale-Wade Academy could soon be decided.
