A BARNSLEY school which came under scrutiny for having ’severe failings’ just three years ago has been lauded for turning its fortunes around by inspectors.
Outwood Academy Shafton is now a good school according to Ofsted, whose five-strong inspection team visited the school - which has 1,023 students aged between 11 and 16 on its roll - last month.
The school’s previous two inspections, when it was known as Shafton ALC, were judged as ‘inadequate’ in 2013 and ‘requires improvement’ in 2014 before Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) took over its running in 2015.
Its leadership and teaching were both praised, while students’ outcomes and behaviour were also singled out in the inspection report.
“Since joining OGAT, leaders have transformed the school,” it said. “They have established an aspirational ‘no excuses’ culture.
“Leaders have established a culture of high aspirations - they are relentless in their determination to see pupils succeed. Standards of behaviour are high due to the rigorous implementations of the school’s code of conduct.
“Consequently, leaders have established a learning environment where pupils can get on with their work. Teaching is increasingly strong and effective, across all subjects, with everyone sharing the same high expectations of what pupils should achieve.
“Leaders have inspired and nurtured a wider team of talented and committed subject leaders, who share the same ambitions and driving improvements as a result.”
Rates of fixed-term exclusions and pupil absences remain higher than the national average, although both are reducing, as are cases of bullying.
Last summer, the school continued its year-on-year GCSE pass rate improvement and it now has 61 per cent of its students achieving at least a grade four - the equivalent of a C grade - in both English and maths.
The figure marks a seven per cent rise on the following year’s results - and a staggering 35 per cent increase since OGAT took over.
Principal Cara Ackroyd said: “As a trust we are absolutely thrilled that the judgement made by Ofsted echoes the complete transformation of Outwood Academy Shafton from a special measures school three years ago with failing results and a falling role, to a good academy with record-breaking results.
“The report itself pays due reverence to the hard work and dedication of governors, staff and students. Every child deserves to go to at least a good local school. This is a landmark positive report for the academy and the community it serves.”
