OFSTED’S damning verdict is the latest in a catalogue of problems for the Herbert Avenue school.

St Aldhelm’s was Poole’s first-ever academy when it opened in 2010 under the guidance of sponsors the Diocese of Salisbury and Bour ne-mouth University.

As Rossmore Community College it had been given a notice to improve by Ofsted in 2008.

But in summer 2011 the academy hit the headlines when it notched up the country’s worst-ever GCSE results, with just three per cent of pupils achieving the benchmark five A* to C grades including English and maths.

Results have improved since then – 28 per cent of pupils achieved the benchmark standard in 2012 and 31 per cent in 2013.

But despite this progress, the school still has the worst results of any in the Bournemouth, Poole or Dorset council areas and the 31 per cent figure still left the academy in the bottom 50 secondary schools in England.

Its official GCSE pass rate for 2014 is not yet known, with the academy confirming only that 98 per cent of students had achieved at least one pass between A* and G.

To make matters worse, the academy also has serious financial troubles.

Earlier this year, the Daily Echo revealed how staff at St Aldhelm’s had fallen prey to an email scam with the result that £1.1million was taken from a school account.

The school was served with a financial notice to improve by the Department for Education.

Soon afterwards, principal Cheryl Heron left St Aldhelm’s Academy and was replaced by interim head Monica Cross.

Then, a fortnight ago, the chairman of governors sent a letter to parents informing them they would shortly be announcing a new sponsor and had restructured the Academy’s leadership team ahead of this.

This confirmed Amanda Bibby as the new interim principal, while Richard Schofield will take up the post of executive interim principal from January.

The chain of events

2000 – Rossmore Community College is put into special measures following an Ofsted report.

2002 – standards have raised sufficiently for the school to come out of special measures.

2008 Apr – Ofsted gives Rossmore a notice to improve.

2008 Oct – Borough of Poole’s cabinet approves plans to convert Rossmore into an academy.

2009 – Rossmore Community College is rated satisfactory.

2010 – The government agrees funding of £21m to allow Rossmore to become an academy.

2010 Sept – St Aldhelm’s Academy opens its doors to pupils under the leadership of principal Cheryl Heron.

2011 – St Aldhelm’s Academy records the country’s worst ever GCSE results, with just three per cent of pupils achieving five A* to C grades including English and Maths.

2012 – GCSE results increase to 28 per cent.

2013 – GCSE results 31 per cent.

2014 Apr – It is confirmed St Aldhelm’s had lost £1.1million as the result of an email scam. The school is given a financial notice to improve.

2014 May – Principal Cheryl Heron leaves the academy. She is replaced by interim head Monica Cross.

2014 Nov – Parents are told a new sponsor will be announced shortly. In the meantime, the school
leadership is restructured.

2014 Dec – The school is placed in special measures following an Ofsted report.