Glowing praise from Ofsted for George Salter Academy for fostering “enjoyment” of learning

  11 July, 2023

George Salter Academy (GSA) has been applauded by Ofsted for its work to build “stronger outcomes” for students.

The recent inspection, which took place on 23 and 24 May, saw George Salter Academy once again rated as ‘good’ across all categories, with staff, students and leaders commended for the recent improvements across the academy.

The glowing report highlighted how students “value the way school life is about much more than lessons””” and described the support for students’ personal development as :commendable”. Through the Salter Scholar Programme, students at GSA have access to an “impressive range” of “inspirational” guest lectures, competitions, and leadership opportunities that build character development.

In addition, the inspectors praised the “ambitious curriculum” at GSA, noting the teaching staff’s “strong subject knowledge” and the high quality of feedback provided to children, so “students know how to improve their work” and learn “key knowledge and important skills”.

Ofsted was particularly impressed by how much the academy has improved since its previous inspection, with students “achieving increasingly better outcomes” and leaders providing increased support for teachers and students through expert practitioners within OAT.

The academy’s attendance rate is now in the top 25% of all academies and inspectors also noted that “impressive numbers of students successfully move on to education or employment” after leaving.

Other positives from the report include:

• Literacy provision: the recently implemented reading strategy “encourages an enjoyment of reading” and “includes support for weaker readers and reading sessions in tutor time.”
• Behaviour: students at GSA “enjoy being in school and are keen to meet the high expectations staff have of their behaviour”, with a “calm atmosphere in lessons” and students who “happily focus on their learning activities.”
• SEND provision: students with special educational needs and/or disabilities at GSA follow an “ambitious curriculum” and parents and carers of students with SEND “praise the support their child receives.”
• Careers: the academy’s “strong careers programme supports students in making the best decisions about their future”, with Year 11 students and sixth formers “well prepared for their next steps.”
• Personal development: students at GSA follow a “carefully mapped” personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum, so they learn about “being a good citizen” and “value diversity and embrace the school’s ethos of ‘one world in one school’”.
• Safeguarding: “leaders have created a real culture of safeguarding”, going “above and beyond in securing the help or support those pupils or families may need.”

Adrian Price, principal said: “I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised GSA’s hard work and success in continuing to improve our academy and provide the best possible education and opportunities for our amazing students. It is a real privilege to lead such an incredible academy – I would like to thank the leadership team, staff, and parents, whose hard work, dedication, and effort always goes above and beyond to serve our community.

“At GSA, we plan for long-term sustainable improvement. We know what is needed to build on our success and I look forward to continuing this exciting journey with an incredible team.”

[Click here] for the full report.

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Category: News