Ofsted turnaround as school now rated ‘GOOD’
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Staff and students at The Hurlingham Academy are this week celebrating a considerable turnaround after the school received a ‘Good’ judgement from Ofsted.
The school, which was previously in Special Measures, joined United Learning in 2015 with a new leadership team and has since seen significant improvements in its GCSE outcomes and progress measures. Now, following a visit to the school in October, Ofsted inspectors have recognised the transformation underway with a highly encouraging report, praising teachers and leaders for their efforts.
The inspectors’ report credits ‘skilful and determined leadership’ for securing significant improvement across the academy and creating a ‘lively and positive climate for learning’. Under the direction of Principal Leon Wilson and his team, attendance has improved considerably and attainment and progress at GCSE is now above the national average. This includes students from disadvantaged backgrounds, with special educational needs or who speak English as an additional language.
The report also praised a number of other key strengths and improvements, including:
· ‘Relationships between staff and pupils are very good and based on mutual respect.’
· ‘Staff know their pupils well and understand their individual needs.’
· ‘Pupils are very welcoming and polite to visitors and are clearly proud of the academy.’
· ‘Pupils follow a broad academic curriculum, in which different pathways are carefully designed to prepare pupils for further study and future employment.’
· ‘The curriculum is further enhanced by an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities to give pupils as many opportunities as possible.’
· ‘Parents […] were positive about the impact of teaching and believe that their children are making good progress.’
· ‘Many staff members said how much they enjoyed working at the academy, and teachers confirmed that they feel well supported as well as challenged.’
Another area singled out for praise was the ‘highly effective contribution’ provided by the school’s Local Governing Body. Likewise, inspectors were complimentary about the high-quality support and challenge received as part of United Learning which was said to be helping senior staff ‘sustain the academy’s rapid improvement.’
Leon Wilson, Principal at The Hurlingham Academy, said:
“We are thrilled that the inspectors’ report recognises the transformation underway at the academy and praises the work of our whole school community in securing improvements. In particular, I am pleased that the report highlights the very positive relationships we share with parents and between our students and staff; this has been vital to our success as a school and shows what we have been able to achieve in two years.
“We have always had high aspirations for the future of our academy and for what our students can accomplish and this is reflected in their achievements in school, at GCSE and beyond. I am confident that, with this endorsement from Ofsted, we are well on our way to becoming an ‘Outstanding’ school in the future.”
Dame Sally Coates, Director of Secondary Education at United Learning, said:
“This report is testament to the excellent leadership of Mr Wilson and the Senior Leadership Team, the work of staff across the school and the impact of the local governing body. Likewise, the report is a credit to the students; the inspectors comment that they are clearly proud of their school and that their behaviour, courtesy and friendliness is a key strength of the academy alongside their improved academic performance.”