School praised for turnaround after inspection
ACADEMY WAS ONCE
DEEMED TO BE FAILING
A Teesside secondary school has been praised for making major improvements after once being deemed to be failing.
Unity City Academy on Ormesby Road in Middlesbrough had its most recent Ofsted inspection in May, where it was found to have improved in all areas and is now rated as good across the board.
In the newly published report the school, which teaches 840 pupils, was praised for its inclusivity and broad curriculum, as well as its prominent ‘culture of tolerance and respect.’
The rating is a major turnaround for the school which was rated as inadequate in 2016 in a damning report which highlighted poor behaviour, teaching and leadership.
A further inspection in 2018 saw the school upgraded to ‘requires improvement’ and inspectors described the school as ‘inconsistent’ with teachers missing opportunities to ‘develop pupils’ resilience or secure and deepen their learning.’
The Gazette reported in 2020 about improvements at the school, which have now been further confirmed with the ‘good’ Ofsted rating.
At its most recent review, Ofsted inspectors met the school’s headteacher and leaders’ to discuss the positive changes and improvements that have been put into action since their last visit.
UCA principal Andrew Rodgers said: “We are delighted that Ofsted has rated our school as ‘Good.’ I am so proud of all our staff and pupils for their hard work and dedication, this will spur us on to continue to improve and provide our students with the finest education possible.”
Ofsted found the school had placed an emphasis on teaching pupils personal development, with a carefully crafted range of topics taught in these specific lessons.
The report said: “Pupils told us they really value the ethics and tutor lessons, they gave examples of the useful topics they learn in these lessons, such as healthy relationships and how to manage a budget.
“This is contributing effectively to the social, moral and cultural education of pupils. The pupils also receive independent career advice, with teachers encouraging pupils to think about what they could achieve when they leave school.”
The school has a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer for its pupils that aim to help them build leadership skills and give them valuable life experience. These include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the Combined Cadet Force.
The report found pupils at Unity City Academy felt safe as relationships with teachers were described as warm and friendly.
They know the staff at the school will help them if they face any difficulties and the pupils who were spoken to during the review told inspectors that any bullying is dealt with effectively.
The report added: “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified and supported effectively, with most pupils with SEND being fully involved in the mainstream curriculum.”
As for further improvement, the Ofsted report suggested that while the curriculum is broad as well as balanced, there are some subjects that need teaching in greater depth and that leaders should make sure that pupils spend more time deepening their knowledge of the school’s curriculum.