Mary Astell Academy’s Rapid Improvements Recognised by Ofsted

Mary Astell Academy was inspected by Ofsted 8-9 June 2022 and overall was rated as Requires Improvement. 

Ofsted look at four key areas, the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.  Mary Astell Academy received Good ratings for personal development and leadership and management and Requires improvement for the quality of education and behaviour and attitudes. This is a vast improvement on the last inspection which was in 2016 when Linhope PRU before the school joined the Trust, it was rated Inadequate.

In the report Ofsted’s inspectors noted 'Leaders have a clear vision for the academy's place and purpose within the city's educational landscape. They are working with the local authority and local secondary schools to develop this role. They are steadily building a valued provision. 

One parent reflected the views of others, saying, "The school has been tremendously supportive, helpful, patient and ambitious for our child."

The inspectors also said “Leaders are determined to give pupils a second chance. Where possible, they work to reintegrate pupils back into mainstream education. If necessary, staff continue to check on these pupils to make sure their transition to a new school is successful.”

Chris Richardson, Acting Chief Executive said "Everybody at Prosper Learning Trust and Mary Astell Academy is delighted that the inspection team recognised the hugely significant progress the school has made over the last few years.

We know there is more to do, and the report helps to identify those areas we still need to work on, but from where the school was at the time of its last inspection, to where it is now is a remarkable and rapid improvement. 

The report recognises the strength of the leadership and management of the school and pays a proper tribute to the work of the leadership team and to the fantastic work of the talented and dedicated team of staff. 

It also should be noted that the pupils themselves are praised too for their hard work, positive attitudes and good behaviour and demonstrated their loyalty and commitment to the school throughout the inspection. 

Finally, it should be acknowledged that all of the progress that has been made was achieved in the most challenging of circumstances, whilst supporting some of the most vulnerable children in the city through the privations of the pandemic. 

It is a result of which everybody is justifiably proud and only serves to inspire us to secure further improvement in the future"