Gosberton Academy.

Academy is told to improve

A school has been told it ‘requires improvement’ for a second time since becoming an academy.

Gosberton Academy has been told it needs to improve in all areas of effectiveness, apart from in ‘behaviour and attitudes’ for which it was rated Good following the Ofsted inspection on October 1 and 2.

Now part of the Boston Witham Academies Foundation, it took academy status in 2013 and had previously been rated as ‘requires improvement’ in its previous inspection in July 2016.

Its predecessor, Gosberton Primary School, was ranked ‘good’ in its last Ofsted inspection back in 2011.

The latest report states of attending Gosberton Academy: “Pupils at this school are happy and safe. Adults care for them well. By the time pupils leave the school, most have achieved well in English and mathematics.

“The quality of education has improved in these subjects. However, this is not the case in all subjects. The curriculum in some subjects is too narrow.

“Pupils do not learn enough about the world, and their own or other cultures.”

The report says the school should improve aspects of the curriculum, including early reading, have more ambition for pupils in early years and ensure provision for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) pupils is more consistently effective.

Helen Joyce, Acting CEO of the Boston Witham Academies Federation, said: “Ofsted’s inspection framework changed this academic year, with schools from September 1 being inspected under a very different version.

“In its final report, collated at the start of October, Ofsted stated that Gosberton Academy requires improvements in some areas, while recognising that pupils are ‘happy and safe’, ‘adults care for them well’, and ‘pupils and staff enjoy very positive relationships’.

“The report also stated that when pupils leave the school ‘most have achieved well in English and Mathematics. The quality of education has improved in these subjects.’

“Although phonics was identified in Ofsted’s inspection, 80 per cent of Year 1 children passed the Phonics Screening Check. Gosberton Academy’s Key Stage 2 results also show that 95 per cent of pupils left with the expected levels in maths, 85 per cent in writing and 75 per cent in reading. The combined score was 70 per cent – higher than the national average.

“These 2019 results were the highest they have been since the merger of the Phoenix Federation of Schools with the Boston Witham Academies Federation. During the past 18 months we also invested over £129,000 into the creation of an outdoor sport, play and gym area at Gosberton Academy.

“Arrangements for safeguarding at the Academy were found to be effective, with leaders understanding and supporting families’ needs.

“We accept Ofsted’s recent findings and all staff at Gosberton Academy continue their commitment to ensuring they offer the best possible education to the community.”

Now part of the Boston Witham Academies Foundation, it took academy status in 2013 and had previously been rated as ‘requires improvement’ in its previous inspection in July 2016.

Its predecessor, Gosberton Primary School, was ranked ‘good’ in its last Ofsted inspection back in 2011.

The latest report states of attending Gosberton Academy: “Pupils at this school are happy and safe. Adults care for them well. By the time pupils leave the school, most have achieved well in English and mathematics.

“The quality of education has improved in these subjects. However, this is not the case in all subjects. The curriculum in some subjects is too narrow.

“Pupils do not learn enough about the world, and their own or other cultures.”

The report says the school should improve aspects of the curriculum, including early reading, have more ambition for pupils in early years and ensure provision for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) pupils is more consistently effective.

Helen Joyce, Acting CEO of the Boston Witham Academies Federation, said: “Ofsted’s inspection framework changed this academic year, with schools from September 1 being inspected under a very different version.

“In its final report, collated at the start of October, Ofsted stated that Gosberton Academy requires improvements in some areas, while recognising that pupils are ‘happy and safe’, ‘adults care for them well’, and ‘pupils and staff enjoy very positive relationships’.

“The report also stated that when pupils leave the school ‘most have achieved well in English and Mathematics. The quality of education has improved in these subjects.’

“Although phonics was identified in Ofsted’s inspection, 80 per cent of Year 1 children passed the Phonics Screening Check. Gosberton Academy’s Key Stage 2 results also show that 95 per cent of pupils left with the expected levels in maths, 85 per cent in writing and 75 per cent in reading. The combined score was 70 per cent – higher than the national average.

“These 2019 results were the highest they have been since the merger of the Phoenix Federation of Schools with the Boston Witham Academies Federation. During the past 18 months we also invested over £129,000 into the creation of an outdoor sport, play and gym area at Gosberton Academy.

“Arrangements for safeguarding at the Academy were found to be effective, with leaders understanding and supporting families’ needs.

“We accept Ofsted’s recent findings and all staff at Gosberton Academy continue their commitment to ensuring they offer the best possible education to the community.”

When this story was initially published, an image of Gosberton House Academy school was used. The Voice apologies for any confusion caused. Gosberton House Academy is rated Outstanding.

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