Ofsted praise for school where staff go ‘above and beyond’ to support students
Ofsted has published its report for Outwood Academy Bydales, following a two-day inspection in March. The report opens by stating that the school is ‘an ambitious school with high standards. It makes its high expectations clear to pupils and they rise to meet them.’ Inspectors also recognised the strong and trusting relationships between staff and students, noting ‘staff care deeply for pupils and often go ‘above and beyond’ to support them and help them with their studies.’
Highlights of the report include:
There is a strong culture of praise in the school. Staff recognise pupils’ hard work and positive contributions.
Pupils are happy and demonstrate industrious attitudes to learning.
The school supports pupils with SEND well. There are clear procedures for identifying pupils’ additional needs.
Pupils with SEND access the curriculum in line with their peers and achieve well
The school acts promptly to improve standards in literacy.
Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They explain things clearly and design tasks that help most pupils to learn securely.
Pupils experience great success. Not only is this reflected in public examination results, but also through the wide range of opportunities for pupils’ personal development.
The school’s careers programme prepares pupils well for their next steps.
The school is very well led. Leaders have a clear vision for the school’s priorities. They make sound decisions about strategies and initiatives that will benefit pupils the most.
Robert McGreal, Principal at Outwood Academy Bydales, said:
“I am proud that we have secured ‘good’ in all areas and as a school community, we are delighted with the report, which highlights many of the school’s strengths. We will continue with the work we are already doing to improve our curriculum further to ensure strong outcomes across all subjects; this work was validated in the inspection and within the report, as already impacting the academy.
“We are pleased that we are moving in the right direction for the benefit of our students and will continue to do all we can to secure the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to move on to the next stage of their lives and take their place in the adult world.”
