March's Neale-Wade Academy graded by Ofsted's new system

The Neale-Wade Academy in March has achieved the 'expected standard' grading for attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, and post-16 provision.

The 1,222-pupil school was inspected in January and has been rated by the education watchdog Ofsted using its new report card system.

Ofsted has changed the way it reports on school inspections and no longer issues one-word judgements. Schools are now graded across a five-point scale from ‘exceptional’ to ‘urgent improvement’, with ‘expected standard’ the new benchmark for high-performing schools.

Neale-Wade's principal, Graham Horn, says he is pleased inspectors have recognised progress at the school, but admits there is more work to do. (Image: Active Learning Trust)

Ofsted has also explained that the new inspection gradings cannot be compared to the old terms, and the ‘expected standard’ is the grading for a high-performing school doing everything it should. It is not a term for average, or middle of the scale, but an overall high standard.

At its previous full inspection in December 2023, the school was rated as 'requires improvement' across all areas.

This latest inspection has found notable progress and significant achievements, and the school is pleased to have achieved the 'expected standard' in three of the seven areas examined by the inspectors.

Three areas were rated as 'needs attention' - this is an indication that there is work to be done to reach the ‘expected standard’.

The Neale-Wade Academy in March, was inspected under Ofsted's new report card system of grading in January. (Image: Active Learning Trust)

It’s not a ‘fail’, but it highlights where issues can be addressed before they become bigger problems that need ‘urgent improvement’.

The areas highlighted as needing attention are curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance.

However, pupils' achievement requires 'urgent improvement' with the report stating: "Many pupils do not achieve well. Over a sustained period of time, their progress through the curriculum has been limited.

"Pupils' results in national tests (GCSEs and equivalent) at the end of Key Stage 4 are consistently low."

It continues: "These weaknesses in achievement range across different pupil groups and across most subjects."

However, the inspectors acknowledge: "Much of this is linked to historical weaknesses in the curriculum that leaders have identified and have begun to address."

The report, published today, praised the “robust and timely action” the secondary school, which is part of Active Learning Trust, has taken to improve attendance and behaviour.

It also highlighted that Neale-Wade’s “success in improving pupils' attendance is mirrored in the improvements seen in standards of pupils' behaviour".

Inspectors also recognised that students feel both “happy and safe” at Neale-Wade, noting the progress being made in several areas and the positive impact this is having on learning as well as wellbeing.

Staff are positive about changes and recognise the “significant improvements” and pupils are “positive about the improvements that they can see being made to their school”, which include the “calm and welcoming” environment provided.

The report highlights that the trust’s executive team and those in governance positions are working together to identify and prioritise actions for improvement, and this work has begun to have a “notable impact”.

The report also highlights that leaders have been instrumental in supporting Neale-Wade to improve the quality of the curriculum and teaching, with “high-quality, evidence-informed strategies” starting to have a positive impact on many pupils.

Neale-Wade is completely committed to continuing its focus on improvement and ensuring it is doing everything possible to support all students to achieve well and reach their full potential.

The secondary school also has the support of the Department for Education’s RISE (regional improvement for standards and excellence) programme.

The school is already seeing the difference this has made in targeted curriculum areas and we will work together to support these improvements to continue at pace.

Graham Horn, academy principal, said: “This report reflects the significant improvement journey our school is on, and we are pleased to see praise for the progress made across attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing and post-16 provision.

“Good behaviour and attendance are the foundations of every great school, and they must be in place before attainment, and results can improve in a sustainable way.

 “I am particularly pleased to see that Ofsted recognises that students feel both happy and safe at Neale-Wade - the safety and well-being of our students will always be our top priority.

“We know there is more work to be done, and we are striving to continue to make meaningful progress and improvements. We are committed to working together with our whole school community so that every student has the best possible experience and education at our school.

 “We look forward to continuing to take part in the Department for Education’s RISE programme to help accelerate these improvements.”

 Lynsey Holzer, CEO at Active Learning Trust, said: “The progress Neale-Wade has made and continues to make is really significant, and we are completely committed to supporting Neale-Wade to continue this improvement journey.

 “Sustainable and meaningful progress does take time, and we are confident that Neale-Wade is on the right path, with a robust and thoughtful plan in place to help support further improvements.

 “Well done to colleagues at Neale-Wade and thank you for your continued dedication.”