Robert Smyth Academy principal thanks school community after Ofsted inspection
The principal of Robert Smyth Academy in Market Harborough has thanked the school community for its support after the school was handed a positive Ofsted report.
The academy, on Burnmill Road, was visited by a team of inspectors for a routine visit in September.
The report, published this week, highlighted the work done by teaching staff and leadership, with all but one area of assessment deemed as being a ‘strong standard’.
Pupils were found to do well across the curriculum, with students getting grades above the national average at the end of key stage four.
And outcomes for disadvantaged pupils have improved considerably as they achieve well compared with their peers nationally.
The school was praised for its commitment to students with additional needs.
The report stated: “Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who face other barriers to their learning, achieve well from their starting points.
“Teachers support them to produce high-quality work across the curriculum. Pupils with gaps in their foundational knowledge, including reading, handwriting and spelling, receive effective support. This helps them to access the wider curriculum so that they achieve well.
Pupils overall attendance was consistently above the national average and the proportion of those who are persistently absent has significantly decreased.
Inspectors said: “Leaders strive to ensure that all pupils, including those who face barriers to their learning, attend school every day.
“Leaders' use of tailored approaches ensures attendance continues to improve. For example, the school provides a quieter start to the school day to meet the needs of some pupils so that they attend school regularly.”
Principal Kate Nicholson said the report was a good reflection of the school’s special strengths.
She explained: “This is a report that celebrates not only academic success, but also kindness, belonging, aspiration and community."
Pupils told OFSTED inspectors that bullying is rare, but if unkind comments are made, pupils are confident that staff respond quickly and effectively.
Teachers were described as expert and confident practitioners who “use their subject expertise well to explain the most important knowledge and skills clearly”.
Inspectors said: “Both leaders and staff know their pupils well and can identify emerging needs quickly and work closely with pupils, families and external agencies to reduce any barriers to learning and wellbeing.
“Leaders have improved their systems so that staff can consistently respond to pupils’ needs quickly.”
The sixth form was found to be growing and increasingly successful, with a broad curriculum for students to pursue a range of interests and future pathways.
The report read: “Teachers know their subjects well and provide effective support. However, students have not achieved as highly as they could.
“Some students begin their sixth-form studies with gaps in key knowledge. Teaching does not always close these gaps quickly enough.”
Leaders were told to “further enhance their work to remove barriers to learning in the sixth form so that all students achieve highly”.
Miss Nicholson added: "We could not be prouder of this outcome, and we look forward to the future with great confidence and excitement. Huge thanks to our whole school community – especially to our supportive parents and families in their fantastic efforts for the children and school."