Lord Derby Academy in Huyton has been judged to be “Good” by Ofsted following an inspection on 27 and 28 June 2023.
The school was judged to be “Good” in all areas – the quality of education; good behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and overall effectiveness was also judged to be “Good”.
Inspectors noted:-
- Pupils know that they must be ready to learn when they step over the green line at the school entrance at the start of each day. This physical marker is an effective reminder to pupils to conduct themselves in line with leaders’ high expectations.
- Leaders have redesigned the curriculum for pupils. It is now suitably broad and ambitious.
- Pupils feel happy and well cared for at Lord Derby Academy. They said that there are staff who they can talk to about their worries. This helps pupils to feel safe in school.
- Leaders encourage pupils to be active in the school community. For example, pupils can share ideas for change through a ‘positive action’ suggestions box. Leaders consult the pupil parliament about many aspects of school life. Pupils said that leaders respond to their suggestions.
- Leaders are aspirational for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Pupils typically learn well.
- Subject teachers work well together to design effective learning activities.
- Leaders have strengthened their processes for identifying pupils who struggle with their reading knowledge. Leaders have made sure that staff have the skills to help these pupils to read accurately and fluently. Pupils spoke very positively about how getting better at reading has helped them to learn more effectively.
- Leaders act swiftly to identify the needs of pupils with SEND. Teachers receive detailed information about the adjustments to the delivery of the curriculum required by these pupils. Teachers use this information effectively to help these pupils to learn well.
- Pupils experience a strong careers programme, which begins in Year 7. Leaders ensure that pupils receive the information that they need to make appropriate choices about their next steps in education or employment.
- Leaders at all levels are sharply focused on improving pupils’ outcomes.
- Trustees and governors provide support and challenge to school leaders to help them to improve the quality of education that they provide for pupils.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective.
- Staff are immensely proud to work at this school.
Victoria Gowan, Headteacher at Lord Derby Academy said “I am absolutely delighted that Lord Derby Academy has been graded as Good by Ofsted for the first time in the school’s history. This is a very proud moment for our whole school community. It has been a pleasure to share this successful outcome with our pupils and their families over recent days. I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Dean Trust, Knowsley Local Authority and Knowsley Central Collaborative for their unwavering support of the school’.
Cllr Margaret Harvey, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, added “Congratulations to Lord Derby Academy on this fantastic outcome. Everyone at the school should be quite rightly proud of this achievement. The school has progressed from ‘Requires Improvement’ in June 2019 to ‘Good’ in June 2023 – well done to everyone involved.”