SCHOOL NEWS: Westfield Academy given a good grading by Ofsted

THE principal of Westfield Academy in Yeovil has said that it will avoid becoming complacent - even though it has been judged "good" by Government-backed school inspectors.

The Ofsted inspection was carried out earlier this month on September 11-12, 2014, and inspectors were impressed with a number of elements within the Academy and awarded it as “good” – much better than the “requires improvement” grading it received during the previous visit.

Ofsted assesses schools on four key areas - Leadership and Management, Behaviour and Safety of Pupils, Quality of Teaching and Achievement of Pupils. Westfield has been judged to be good in all areas.

In their last report, the school was praised for its “welcoming and ambitious approach” and in the past few years has continued on this positive course, with staff, governors and students working hard to make significant improvements to their school.

“Every student is well known and cared for and is given equal opportunity of success,” said the Ofsted report.

“The behaviour of students is good. Students conduct themselves well at the academy, both in and out of lessons. They are polite and courteous and their behaviour leads to a positive atmosphere permeating the Academy.”

The quality of the teaching at the school is judged to be good and “is typified by teachers’ enthusiasm and strong subject knowledge.”

PHOTO - TOP: Westfield Academy principal Chris Hunt with head boy and head girl Aaron Johnson and Lucy Langdon.

The report also refers to the “high quality learning environments” at the school, where “students enjoy being challenged. They show great determination and resilience to succeed.”

But the inspectors have said that Westfield Academy does not warrant an “outstanding” grade just yet because occasionally learning activities planned by staff do not always enable students to make the best possible progress; not all students are equally well-informed of how well they have done and the steps they need to take to improve their learning further; students are not always given time to reflect on and respond to teachers’ feedback; and attendance is not yet above the national average.

The inspectors reported, however, that pupil achievement was good.

 “The most able students at the Academy make good progress, particularly in English and mathematics,” said the report. “They enjoy this high level of challenge and inspectors observed these students making outstanding progress.

“The leadership of the special educational needs department is of a very high quality - these students are making good, and often outstanding, progress.”

Westfield principal, Chris Hunt, said: “I am really delighted to be able to report that Ofsted have graded Westfield Academy a good school.

“This is a tribute to both the dedicated staff and the hard working and courteous students we are privileged to have at this school.

“I strongly believe achieving this judgment from Ofsted is deserved recognition of the improvements in the school over the last few years.

“Neither I, nor my staff, will be complacent however. We will continue to strive to provide the best education possible for all our students.”

For full details of the report, go to www.westfieldacademy.

Tags:
News.