Academy takes first steps toward '˜good' Ofsted rating

Greenway Academy, in Horsham, underwent a monitoring inspection on January 15, seven months after being told it needed to improve.

Ofsted inspector Alan Taylor-Bennett met with headteacher Karen White, staff and governors during his visit, sat in on lessons in every year group and studied the academy’s improvement plan.

Mr Taylor-Bennett praised the changes made since the last inspection in June 2015.

In a letter to Ms White, he wrote: “Over the last six months, you have successfully conveyed some essential messages about what has to be different in the academy.

“You have exercised outstanding leadership skills to ensure that these improvements have come about.”

Ms White described Mr Taylor-Bennett’s report as “fair” and added: “It is an exciting time at the school for pupils and staff. We are really focussed on ensuring the children get the best possible learning opportunities, so they make great progress every day.”

The report noted the progress made by Greenway children and the pride they now took in their work, a point which pleased Ms White.

She said: “There was so much to be proud of in this report.

“I was particularly pleased with the recognition that children had greatly improved in their attitudes to learning, recognising that they own their own learning and that the academy at all levels is now clearly focussed on teaching and learning outcomes for everyone.”

Greenway converted to academy status in 2012 and has been rated ‘requires improvement’ ever since.

With this latest inspection behind them, Ms White and her team recognised there was still a lot to do as they worked towards a ‘good’ rating.

Mr Taylor-Bennett highlighted areas which needed further action if the academy was to achieve that rating.

They included doing more to ensure disadvantaged pupils made rapid progress, and ensuring governors had the capacity to hold the academy’s leadership to account for the quality of its work.

Ms White said: “We still have a lot to do. Greenway Academy can be an outstanding exemplar in West Sussex and everyone is committed to making this happen.

“With that clear vision, the children are the winners every time and that’s our core purpose as a school, isn’t it?”

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