Academy gets high praise in report

Staff and pupils at Serlby Park Academy are celebrating after get a ‘good’ Ofsted report following a recent visit by inspectors.
Celebrating a good Ofsted report at Serlby Park Academy G130321-1aCelebrating a good Ofsted report at Serlby Park Academy G130321-1a
Celebrating a good Ofsted report at Serlby Park Academy G130321-1a

The school in Bircotes has achieved the seond highest Ofsted rating - an improvement on the ‘satisfactory’ rating it received in its last inspection.

Principal designate Lady Christine Edwards said the school was close to an ‘outstanding’ rating and will continue to improve.

She praised her dedicated staff and governors who ‘have worked tirelessly over the last two years to raise standards.’

She said: “We have a very strong sense of community, which Ofsted recognised and pupils who have positive attitudes to learning.”

“We were very close to ‘outstanding’ so we will continue our drive for improvement and more success in the future.”

Inspectors visited the academy on 12th and 13th February, when they observed 40 lessons.

The report, published earlier this month, praised the leadership at the school and the achievements of pupils. It said that from low starting points, pupils reached average levels in English and Maths by the end of year six, representing good progress.

Pupils make good progress in the secondary phase, especially in mathematics, science and modern languages, it added.

Pupils GCSE achievements was also highlighted, with grades ‘rising markedly.’ Last year pupils at the academy, sponsored by School Partnership Trust Academies, achieved its best ever GCSE results.

Teaching at both the primary and secondary phases were praised, with the report stating that pupils enjoyed learning and lessons had clear objectives, interesting learning activities and good resources.

The report added that relationships at the academy are good and pupils feel safe there. It said there is a ‘strong sense of community and good behaviour contribute to the calm atmosphere and good learning in the academy.’

The inspectors, headed by leaded inspector Bernard Campbell, said that the principal designate ‘has a strong drive for improvement and communicates high expectations of achievement and behavior.’

They held meetings with the principal designate, senior and subject leaders, representatives of the sponsor and members of the governing body. They also had discussions with pupils and looked at a range of documents and staff questionnaires.

Inspectors made several suggestions for improvements which included improving teaching in the sixth form and attainment in English across the school.

They also made suggestions as to how teaching at the academy cuold be raised up to the ‘outstanding’ rating.

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