Ex-Barrister's Tough Reforms Slash Suspensions at Birmingham School
Rash Rahman, a former barrister who transitioned to teaching eight years ago, has taken the helm at Shenley Academy in Weoley Castle, Birmingham, and is driving significant changes. Since starting as headteacher in September, he has tackled rampant issues like poor attendance, corridor loitering, and widespread mobile phone use, which had led to nearly 800 suspensions from 2024 to 2025.
Immediate Action and Clear Vision
Upon accepting the position in May and visiting in July, Mr Rahman quickly identified critical areas needing improvement. He noted that students were frequently absent, with 29% persistently missing school and some attending only half the time. Class disruptions were common, as pupils gathered in toilets, corridors, and stairwells during lessons, leading to lost teaching time and conflicts.
In August, Mr Rahman and senior staff devised a comprehensive plan focusing on behaviour, culture, attendance, and GCSE results. Through presentations and meetings, he communicated this vision to students, staff, and parents, who were initially sceptical after experiencing three heads in a year. He emphasised the need for action over words, conducting 80 individual parent meetings and engaging every year group to outline past GCSE trends and the urgent need for change.
Key Reforms and Positive Outcomes
Behaviour and Support Systems: A new on-call system was introduced, allowing teachers to summon immediate support for disruptive pupils, aiming to minimise learning loss. This has empowered staff and reduced toilet visits during lessons by 70%. Additionally, the "Link" programme provides weekly bespoke interventions for over 100 students to support their school life.
Mobile Phone Policy: Students in Years Seven, Eight, and Nine are now required to hand over their phones at the start of the day, with plans to extend this to Year 10 after Easter. This policy has enabled teachers to teach effectively and pupils to concentrate better, fostering a calmer learning atmosphere.
Attendance and Suspensions: Truancy has become "non-existent," and attendance has improved by 1.2%, equating to 20 extra students and 500 additional learning hours. Most notably, suspensions have been halved, reflecting a significant reduction in behavioural issues.
Academic Improvements and Future Goals
To boost GCSE performance, extra after-school lessons and Saturday school sessions have been implemented. Last year, only 39% of students achieved a grade 4 or above in English and Maths, below the national average. Mr Rahman expects this to rise into the 40th percentile this year, with the average Attainment 8 grade improving from 3.1 to 3.6.
Looking ahead, Mr Rahman aims for Shenley Academy to achieve an Ofsted rating of outstanding in all categories within two years. His reforms have already transformed the school environment, with pupils reporting a "calmer atmosphere" conducive to learning, marking a promising turnaround for this Birmingham institution.
