[citation needed] In 2009, a report to the Chief Executive of Education Leeds said that schools like "John Smeaton Community College and the David Young Community Academy have transformed standards and outcomes in areas of Leeds where in the past poor standards and poor outcomes were simply accepted as the norm".

[8] In the final full Ofsted inspection of David Young Community Academy inspectors rated it inadequate in all four assessment criteria.

[9] Further to this they found that 'Leaders of the school and the academy trust have failed to fulfil legislative requirements relating to safeguarding and to health and safety'.

[10] In a follow-up inspection by Ofsted in May 2016 the lead inspector 'strongly recommend[ed] that the academy does not seek to appoint newly qualified teachers', reflecting the poor nature of the school's academic performance.

[15] 40% of children at the school achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs, compared to 51% in Leeds as a whole and 50% nationally.