Ofsted inspection yields ‘good’ rating for Southery Academy

A school in West Norfolk has received a ‘good’ rating in its first Ofsted inspection since becoming an academy.

Southery Academy, which is part of the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust after converting to an academy in 2015, was rated ‘good’ in all areas following the inspection last month.

Principal Barney Rimmer said: “We are delighted with the Ofsted result and this is a true reflection of the hard work, dedication and support shown by the children, staff, parents, governors, the trust and the wider community.

“It was particularly pleasing to see recognised the positive relationships between children and staff and that children are highly motivated to do well, as well as enjoying school and behaving well.

“I am incredibly proud of everyone involved with the school for creating such a positive learning environment that both motivates and challenges the children.”

The report says the academy is ‘good’ in effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcomes for pupils and early years provision.

“The strong leadership of the headteacher, together with the support from the multi-academy trust (MAT) has led to recent improvements and higher expectations for pupils in this school,” the report says.

Trust chief executive, Dr Duncan Ramsey, said: “I am absolutely delighted that all the hard work of the pupils, parents and staff have been recognised in the Ofsted outcome.”

Before becoming an academy, Southery Primary School’s last Ofsted inspection in 2014 found it required improvement.

Dr Ramsey said it was a “success story for a school which has never been good”.

“The parents and community are really supportive and have contributed so much to the improvement journey of the school,” he said.

Mr Rimmer is pictured with pupils and staff. MLNF-19MF02016