May 19, 2012
News Archive
It's official: The Ofsted verdict on our academy is GOOD!
In early March LWA welcomed Ofsted to show Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools just how well we are doing. We were even more delighted to receive a letter from HMI outlining their views on our progress.
Here are some highlights:
'The academy's first published performance data show a considerable improvement in GCSE results. Statistical analysis shows that students' progress is much better than in the predecessor school and now compares favourably with similar schools. The quality of teaching has improved. Students' behaviour has improved. They have much better relationships with staff and most behave well both in and out of lessons. Attendance has improved this year.'
'The quality of care, guidance and support has considerably improved. Students say the introduction of small coaching groups makes them feel well supported and increases their feeling of belonging. Students' enjoyment of learning is supported very well through very high levels of participation in enrichment activities, clubs and visits. Students are very positive about the opportunities offered by the academy and take increasing pleasure in its growing reputation.'
'The Principal provides very dynamic and highly effective leadership and is supported very well by a team of talented and energetic senior leaders. They are very ambitious for the academy and relentless in their drive for improvement. The governing body has an impressive range of skills and knows the academy very well. The academy has moved from a position of seeking out good practice in other institutions to offering help and sharing good practice with others.'
At LWA though we are conscious that not every area of our work has improved at the rate of the best, and we had already identified the key areas for development. It was good to see that HMI agreed with our priorities for improvement, which are to increase the progress that students make in mathematics and to improve the quality of teaching in lessons which are satisfactory, ensuring that they are good.
The report is a fantastic endorsement of all of the hard work put in by staff, students and parents to make Leeds West Academy a success story for the local community and worth the huge investment that is being made in our new building. Together they give us the platform to become the outstanding academy which we all know we can be.
As ever, we thank all parents and carers for their continued support.
To view the full report visit: www.ofsted.gov.uk – search for Leeds West Academy under the ‘inspection reports’ section.
