From 'Requires Improvement' to 'Good' - A School on the Rise
“Pupils at Haberdashers’ Crayford Academy are part of a strong and inclusive community. They respect each other and show kindness and consideration to all. This is a school where pupils learn how to become active citizens”.
This is the opening line from Crayford Academy’s latest Ofsted inspection report, which found the school to be ‘Good’ in all areas.
This fantastic news follows the two-day inspection by Ofsted on 30 November and 1 December, and is particularly special for the school given the ‘Requires Improvement’ rating received in May 2019. It also follows a record-breaking summer of GCSE results that not only saw the school achieve their best ever results, but also placed them in the top 20% of schools nationally for the progress of their pupils from Year 7 to 11.
Executive Principal, Steve Wheatley said:
We are delighted that we have been rated 'Good' in all areas by Ofsted. It makes me very proud to know that Ofsted has recognised all the excellent work and progress made at Crayford Academy since our last inspection. I am particularly proud of our amazing school community who have helped make this happen. Our pupils and staff have worked incredibly hard and we are lucky to have such great support from our parents and families.
HM Inspectors highlighted the sense of community as a real strength in addition to:
- Leaders having high expectations of pupils and pupils meeting these expectations most of the time noting pupils “behave well and support each other’s well-being”
- Pupils being provided with “a diverse range of opportunities to develop their talents and interests.”
- The school’s “broad and ambitious curriculum” is structured well so that pupils can build up their knowledge and skills in increasing depth over time and our pupils’ attitudes to learning are positive, they are attentive and engaged in lessons and the learning environment has minimal disruption
- Leaders providing “high-quality education” and teachers have good subject knowledge
- Pupils with SEND accessing the same curriculum as other pupils, and needs of individual pupils being identified and met
- High priority being given to pastoral care and personal development, and there is a strong culture of safeguarding.
The full report captures the progressive culture of the school, describing other highlights such as teachers having good subject knowledge, helping pupils to build on previous learning and that reading is prioritised at an early stage and schemes like the 'reading buddy' scheme with sixth formers, helps develop ready fluency and comprehension.
Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South CEO Jan Shadick, said:
Congratulations to everyone at Crayford Academy. I know Mr Wheatley and the team have worked tirelessly to secure improvements and this has resulted in excellent progress for the school. This Ofsted report follows strong results in the summer which were the best the school has achieved. This is not only well-deserved but a great example of our community working together to grow and develop. Well done.
I am very excited for the future of our school and all the great things we can achieve together. We will continue to work closely with our wonderful school community to help our children and young people be the best they can be and to inspire future generations to come. - Steve Wheatley, Executive Principal
The full inspection report can be found on the Crayford Academy website.