Three Ofsted inspectors visited Sandown Bay Academy at the beginning of October to report on the Academy’s progress in improving out of Special Measures.
Improvements in the quality of teaching were seen and praised by the inspectors and a number of students enthusiastically told the inspectors that they were seeing teachers changing the way that they teach.
As a result of improvements like this, the Academy was authorised to employ Newly Qualified Teachers. Lesley Walters, Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, said:
“Staff have been working really hard to develop new ways of engaging students and we’ve been really pleased that OFSTED have seen this in the classrooms.”
Academy A2 level results were exceptional this year, with 30% of all grades being A*-A. GCSE results went up this summer, from 40% 5A*-C (including Maths and English) to 47%.
This was a very strong improvement in results, especially as results nationally dipped in 2013. Ofsted acknowledged this welcome sign of improvement but also drew attention to the fact that the Academy has further to go, as some of the Academy’s own targets were missed.
Ofsted also noted that discipline has tightened and bullying has decreased significantly. Whilst the Academy has worked hard to bring about these improvements, the inspectors thought that more work needed to be done to publicise the improved systems which the Academy has introduced.
Overall Ofsted have said that the Academy’s sponsors, AET and Hampshire were strongly supporting improvements within the Academy. However, a complicated re-structuring of staffing at Easter had led to the Academy improving too slowly at that point in time. Ofsted were pleased to see that improvements have since accelerated again and that Senior staff are showing themselves very strongly committed to bringing about further improvements.
John Gansler, Chair of Governors said:
“The commitment and professionalism shown by all staff at the Academy have resulted in real improvements in performance. However OFSTED expectations are very demanding. There is much still to be done, but I am sure that the Academy is in a good position to reach the high standard of excellence we all wish.”
