Admirals Academy in Thetford achieves Ofsted rating of ‘good’ overall with ‘outstanding’ features
A junior school where pupils ‘flourish’ has been rated ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ areas by Ofsted as it continues on its improvement journey.
Admirals Academy in Thetford was inspected by the education watchdog last month and found to be ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for behaviour and attitudes and personal development.
The 7-11 school, which is run by the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust, was previously rated ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted, in 2022.
The report on the recent inspection said pupils ‘flourish’ at the school and the caring staff and highly effective pastoral team support those with complex needs ‘exceptionally well’.
The executive principal, Greg Sadler, said: “We are delighted with the report as it is evidence that in a relatively short time we have been able to achieve great things here.
“Our children have been pivotal in supporting our improvement journey, and our staff have worked tirelessly focussing on the things that really matter to the pupils.
“The working partnership with Raleigh Infant Academy is now extremely strong, and with both academies having now achieved ‘good’ inspection outcomes, I am very much looking forward to leading both Raleigh and Admirals Academies on the next leg of their journey.”
The report also recognised that pupils’ personal development is woven through school life.
“The school has crafted a curriculum and enrichment offer which gives pupils pride in where they live and opportunities to contribute to their community,” it said.
It also said the school has a stable, effective team ‘with a determination to provide the best possible outcomes for pupils’.
“The school has the best interests of pupils at the centre of everything it does. Parents and carers know and appreciate this,” it said.
Paul Shanks, chief executive of the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust, said: “We are thrilled that Ofsted has recognised the great education that the children of Admirals Academy receive and in particular the exemplary behaviour of the children throughout the school and the work to improve the children’s personal development.
“This report is testament to the strong leadership of the executive principal, Greg Sadler, and the hard work of the children, the Admirals team and the wider school community and we look forward to supporting Admirals through the next stage of its improvement journey.”
To improve further, Ofsted said the school needs to continue to ensure that assessment processes in all subjects are robust and accurate so that the curriculum can be adapted to meet the needs of pupils.
