but pointed out that "Development plans are not clear enough about how actions will be evaluated, particularly their effect on pupils' achievement". A previous Ofsted report from 2002 stated that The Kings of Wessex was a "good school with a very good sixth form" and that it enabled its students to do well in examinations and tests. It described the school as a "friendly, harmonious community" and praised the way students took responsibility for their own learning. Its criticisms included the complaints that religious education was not adequate for older students, and that not all students could take part in daily collective worship. History The academy has had five headteachers (known as 'executive headteachers' since the academy became part of the multi-academy trust). Chris Richardson, retired in July 2017 after nearly 23 years in the position. The role was taken over by Gavin Ball, former principal of Frome College. Ball then became chief executive of the Wessex Learning Trust and Dave Wiltshire was appointed as headteacher. Historic links The school is located within a conservation area and all building work is supervised in case excavations reveal any significant archaeological finds. The grounds contain the remains of the Saxon Cheddar Palace. In 1963, the discovery of the Saxon Palace delayed the school building programme for one year whilst the Archaeologists began their work. A wooden "great hall" was constructed around the reign of King Alfred the Great (died 899AD). It was rebuilt around 930 AD and a chapel and other buildings were added. The palace hosted the Witenagemot, an assembly of powerful figures, in AD 941, 956 and 968. The remains were excavated during the construction of the school, but have since been re-buried. The layout is marked with concrete plinths. A ruined 14th century chapel in the grounds is dedicated to St. Columbanus. In January 2006, during the building of a new languages block at the school a grave, believed to be Roman, was uncovered. The grave contained the skeleton of a man, believed to be around 50 years old and pagan rather than Christian due to the north–south orientation of the grave. At least one member of staff has been found to have genetic links to Stone Age inhabitants of the area. Scientists compared DNA taken from a 9,000-year-old skeleton known as "Cheddar Man" with that of fifteen school pupils and five adults from Cheddar village. A match was