Big improvements at school

Sonia Kendal, principal of Newark Hill Academy with the head boy and girl with the Academy learning council, celebrating their good OFSTED EMN-170314-165508009

Newark Hill Academy, in Eastfield Road, Peterborough, was given the ‘good’ rating by Ofsted following an inspection last month. At the school’s previous Ofsted inspection in 2013, it was rated as ‘inadequate.’

The report praises principal, Sonia Kendal, who “provides strong and effective leadership and management”. Inspectors highlighted how Mrs Kendal has been instrumental in the academy’s rapid improvement since joining the trust in April 2014.

The wider leadership team is also praised for having “brought about rapid improvements to the rate of progress pupils make in reading, writing and mathematics.”

Pupils’ behaviour was also praised, with a reduction in incidents of bad behaviour noted.

Mrs Kendal paid tribute to the work done to improve the grading.

She said: “I am delighted with the outcome of this Ofsted inspection. I would like to thank pupils and staff who have worked tremendously hard and the families who have supported us to make the Newark Hill Academy the ‘good’ academy it is today.

“I was particularly pleased to read that the overwhelming majority of staff, pupils and parents agreed that pupils are well looked after and that parents are happy with the improvements they have seen over the last two years.”

While inspectors were positive about the work that had taken place, they said the school should ensure the curriculum is engaging for boys - meaning they don’t achieve as highly as girls, especially in reading and writing.

However, the inspectors, led by Fiona Webb, said staff had recognised this problem, and were already working to improve the situation.

The school was also told to make sure work is sufficiently challenging for the most able pupils.

Mrs Kendal said staff would not be resting on their laurels, and would be looking to improve over the next few years.

She said: “I am delighted that the report found that the standard of education the academy offers is improving rapidly and feel confident that we are exceptionally well prepared to continue to move forward and become an ‘outstanding’ academy in the future.”