Ofsted rate formerly inadequate Newark Academy good with outstanding leadership and management
Newark Academy, formerly rated as inadequate in all areas, is now good with outstanding leadership and management, and has regained the trust of the community, said Ofsted.
Prior to joining the Nova Education Trust in October 2016, the academy had experienced a period of significant turmoil, culminating in Ofsted judging it as inadequate in all areas in June 2016, four weeks after the appointment of Andy Seymour as headteacher.
Nova said since his appointment, Mr Seymour, together with a team of talented and committed leaders and colleagues, worked tirelessly to provide the high-quality provision and experience that provides all children with a great local education.
“In under three years, leaders have transformed the school,” Ofsted said.
The effectiveness of leadership and management was judged to be outstanding because, the report said, leaders and governors established a school where only the highest expectations of staff and students will do.
“Because of this, teaching, behaviour and achievement have improved considerably," it said.
“Leadership and management as a result, is outstanding.”
The inspection team identified the academy as a place where ambition thrives and through painstaking work, leaders regained the community’s trust.
The report said: “The school is oversubscribed, and the roll is rising quickly.”
This is said to be testament to the exceptional hard work, determination and dedication of staff, students and governors but also the continued and unrelenting support of parents, carers and wider stakeholders.
Ofsted highlighted the strong approach to teaching throughout the academy, noting: “Teaching, learning and assessment have improved markedly. Teachers’ expectations of what pupils can achieve are high.”
Most responses to the questionnaire completed during the inspection showed parents and carers feel well informed about their child’s progress.
The inspection team said: “The behaviour of pupils is good. There is a pleasant atmosphere at the school.
"Pupils conduct themselves well around the school site. Inspectors saw no disruptive behaviour of any kind in lessons and pupils had consistently good attitudes to learning.”
Of Nova’s input, Ofsted said: “The trust has equipped school leaders with the skills and confidence they needed to do their jobs effectively and has brought the school into a vibrant learning community.”
Mr Seymour said: “We are delighted to have received an Ofsted report that clearly recognises our passion, care and commitment in providing our community with a great local school where our pupils are cared for and supported in a way that helps them to be the very best they can be.
“The unrelenting dedication and effort my staff have shown over the last two years has transformed the school into one the town can justifiably be very proud of.
“Staff, governors, children and their families have worked hard to make sure that Newark Academy is a place where high quality education and care are things everyone can expect, and I am proud to have led the academy to such a strong position.”
Chairman of governors, Elaine Rossall, said: “It is hugely satisfying to see the inspection team recognise the excellent education that Newark Academy pupils receive, and we are confident that this provides us with a solid platform for further improvements for the future.”
Ash Rahman, vice chief executive at Nova, said: “School leaders have been judged as outstanding — they are relentless in their pursuit of excellence for all pupils and I have no doubt that Newark Academy will be judged as outstanding at the next inspection."
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