Secondary school in Northampton rated '˜good' by Ofsted after '˜rapid improvement'

A secondary school in Northampton has been rated '˜good' by Ofsted and praised by inspectors for making a 'rapid improvement' in the past two years.
Principal Claire Morrell said staff and students at Abbeyfield School were all delighted to be judged 'good' by OfstedPrincipal Claire Morrell said staff and students at Abbeyfield School were all delighted to be judged 'good' by Ofsted
Principal Claire Morrell said staff and students at Abbeyfield School were all delighted to be judged 'good' by Ofsted

Abbeyfield School in Mereway was previously rated as ‘requires improvement’ after a visit from the Government’s education watchdog in July 2014.

The latest Ofsted report states teaching has improved “strongly” and pupils are making good progress across many subjects and across all year groups.

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Prinicpal Claire Morrell said the report had demonstarted how good practice was embedded throught the school and showed how staff and pupils worked together in a community with values of tolerance and respect.

Mrs Morrell said she was now confident the school could be rated ‘outstanding’ after the next Ofsted inspection.

She said: “We know and Ofsted recognises, that all children do well here.

“They paticularly commended the way in which we challenge the most able pupils; they also identified the good progress of those with Special educational Needs.

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“It confirms our belief that all students ‘thrive’ well in our community.

“If I had to pick my favourite quotation form the report, it would be ‘pupils are proud of their school and keen to do well’.

“The same can be said of every single member of staff at Abbeyfield School.

“From the CEO to the Site Manager, the whole team at Abbeyfield School are delighted to be judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted”

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Inspectors were particularly impressed with the behaviour of pupils who are “helpful to each other and polite to visitors and staff.”

The report states: “Relationships with staff are open, warm and friendly. There is no litter around the site.”

To become outstanding, Abbeyfield needs to improve standards in science and fully embed the school’s strategy for closing the gaps in the performance of disadvantaged pupils.

The principal was described as a “determined and ambitious” leader who was tenacious in her drive for school improvement.

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Marc Jordan, Chief Executive of Creative Education Trust, the academy sponsor of Abbeyfield School, said the school would now be aiming to receive the highest rating after Ofsted’s next visit.

He said: “This excellent Ofsted report reflects the great strides Abbeyfield has taken and now the aspiration is for the school to achive ‘outstanding’ in all categories at the next visit.”