Halewood Academy, part of the Wade Deacon Trust, has achieved the “expected standard” in all areas following its latest inspection by Ofsted. The inspection criteria included achievement; attendance and behaviour; curriculum and teaching; inclusion; leadership and governance; and personal development and wellbeing. The Department for Education has defined the school’s results as ‘a high standard’ under the new framework which has been designed to raise national standards.
Inspectors noted that:-
- Leaders have secured improvements to the curriculum and the quality of teaching and learning across the school.
- At the same time, leaders have improved pupils’ behaviour. This means that, typically, pupils now learn the ambitious curriculum well.
- Published results at the end of key stage 4 show an improving trend.
- Typically, pupils develop appropriate knowledge of English and mathematics, which means they are ready for the next stage of their learning. The most recent information shows that most pupils progress to appropriate education, employment or training when they leave Halewood Academy.
- Leaders support pupils who struggle to attend school regularly.
- Leaders have designed a curriculum that is ambitious and logically ordered.
- Leaders know that many pupils face barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing and use effective systems to identify barriers and put plans in place to reduce them.
- Those responsible for governance share the same high ambitions as the school’s leaders. They ensure that additional funding is spent wisely and prioritised for those with the greatest barriers to learning and/or wellbeing.
- Leaders take into account the local context and pupils’ views in the design of the personal development curriculum.
- Leaders have planned a comprehensive series of activities for pupils to learn about careers and the next steps of education, employment or training.
Ian Critchley, Executive Principal at Halewood Academy, commented: “I am very pleased to share the results of our recent Ofsted inspection.
“These results show we are offering a high level of education at Halewood Academy that provides pupils with great opportunities to succeed and leave with the best possible outcomes.
“That is the standard that the Department for Education expects of us, and that is the minimum that we expect of ourselves.
“The results send a clear message that our school is progressing on a strong trajectory, which is underpinned by our mission that Halewood Academy really does Seek the Best.
“I am grateful for the commitment of our dedicated staff and the continued co-operation of parents and carers whose partnership is essential in ensuring the success of our pupils.”
Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added: “It was great to see the work being done to support pupils for their next steps into education, training or employment was highlighted by inspectors. Inspectors also noted that pupils feel valued by the school, helping each day to start positively and that pupils are proud of the school’s increasingly positive reputation in the community. I’m delighted with the feedback received – well done to everyone involved.”