‘Outstanding’ potential at school
ACADEMY IS STILL RATED ‘GOOD’ AFTER INTERIM OFSTED INSPECTION
A DERBYSHIRE school has the potential to be “outstanding” within the next two years following an interim Ofsted inspection.
Heanor Gate Spencer Academy was judged to still be “good” during what is called a section 8 inspection in early May.
These take place every four years, but do not allow the overall judgement to be changed immediately.
That can only be done during a Section 5 inspection, which will now take place at Heanor Gate within the next 24 months.
The inspectors concluded in their newly-published two-day report: “There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged ‘outstanding’ if we were to carry out a section 5 inspection now.
“Pupils want to learn and they behave very well. They have warm, respectful relationships with staff and each other. Bullying is not tolerated. The school provides an ambitious curriculum and delivers it well. Staff have high expectations of pupils.
“Pupils learn to become responsible and respectful members of their community. They know that it is important to learn about people and cultures that are different from their own. They are well prepared to take their place in modern Britain.
“Pupils take part in a variety of activities, these give pupils the chance to discover and develop their talents and character.”
Leaders and staff at the school were praised for being determined “to enhance the lives and life chances of all pupils. They have designed a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND).”
Stephen Huntington, executive principal of the Kirkley Drive school, which has 1,321 pupils, said: “The praise for the school isn’t down to the efforts of everyone over the two days of an inspection, but instead is deserved recognition for the relentless focus and determination shown by everyone involved in our school’s journey for the past five years.
“The report recognised that the school could have been judged ‘outstanding’ if we had been inspected under a more rigorous section 5 inspection, and therefore Ofsted will give us the opportunity to prove that we are truly an ‘outstanding’ school in the next 24 months.
“We would like to thank all of the parents and wider community for their unwavering support. Their trust in us and our constant collaboration has led us to this point.”