Outwood Academy Ormesby praised by Ofsted for ‘significant improvements’

Ofsted has published a report following its most recent monitoring inspection at Outwood Academy Ormesby; the primary focus of the inspection was to review the school’s ongoing actions to improve pupils’ behaviour and attendance. The visit was the most recent of four monitoring inspections to have taken place since the school received an ‘Inadequate’ judgement back in July 2022.

The report opens with praise for the school, stating, ‘With regard to behaviour, the school has made some significant improvements. The school is calm and orderly and low-level disruption is not tolerated’.

The inspector noted that there has been a reduction in the use of derogatory language amongst students and that internal truancy is now a rare occurrence.

Reviewing student attendance, the report notes that the school takes a ‘rigorous and intelligent approach’ which is ‘informed by a deep understanding of the community it serves’ and recognises the appointment of a family support worker who works with parents and carers to address barriers to pupils’ attendance. Appreciation was also shown for the school’s ‘Welcome Hub’, which provides all students with the correct uniform and equipment they need for the day, with some pupils checking in with staff and having breakfast with them, ensuring ‘a positive start to the day for those pupils who are most vulnerable to poor attendance’.

In terms of quality of education at the school, the report recognises that the school has focused on developing the quality of education by providing teachers with high-quality professional development, allowing them to ‘employ a range of effective strategies to check pupils’ knowledge and understanding’ which means that ‘pupils experience teaching that supports them to know and remember more’.

James Bridge, Principal at the academy, said:

“I am incredibly proud of all our staff and the work they do every day to put students first and support them to become the best they can be. I am pleased that this report acknowledges the improvements in attendance and behaviour, as well as the hard work put into establishing our ‘Welcome Hub’ to ensure students receive a positive start to the day.

“I would also like to thank our students, their parents and carers for their support, as without this, the progress that has been made would not have been possible.”

Inspectors were satisfied with the leadership at the school and the support Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) was providing to the school via its central teams, subject directors and community executive principal, commenting, ‘This additional leadership capacity is helping to sustain and accelerate improvement’.