Parkwood Academy is celebrating their success following their OFSTED inspection in January 2014.
They were awarded a ‘Good’ OFSTED rating overall and also in the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils and in leadership and management. Parkwood has improved as they were previously rated ‘satisfactory.’
What does a ‘good’ rating actually mean? It means the school effectively provides for all its pupils’ needs and ensures its pupils are well prepared for their next stage of education, training or employment.
OFSTED believes, “the academy has improved its effectiveness significantly since the previous inspection,” and praised the combined efforts of “effective leaders, governors and sponsors; committed and capable staff and the students’ own positive attitudes to learning.” OFSTED even stated: “Elements, such as senior leadership, are outstanding.”
OFSTED was impressed with how improvement has been made in certain areas that were seen as areas to improve at the previous inspection. For example, there has been a ‘major’ improvement in the achievement in mathematics and in the provision for students new to the English language. Students at Parkwood Academy with special educational needs, who are supported by the pupil premium, and students from minority ethnic heritages are said to make better progress than children in other schools nationally.
The future for Parkwood Academy looks positive as OFSTED has said the rising trend in the last three years “is set to continue.”