Ofsted inspectors visited this Sunderland secondary school and issued the following verdict
“The curriculum now consistently builds the important knowledge and skills pupils need for future success”
Farringdon Community Academy has been judged by Ofsted inspectors as being at a strong standard for teaching and curriculum, as well as its inclusive provision.
The remaining four key areas of achievement, attendance and behaviour, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing have been deemed to be at the expected standard.
No one-word overall judgement is now given to schools with, instead, a traffic light report card given ranging from blue (exceptional), dark green (strong standard), light green (expected standard), amber (needs attention) to red which indicates urgent improvement is needed.
Lead inspector John Linkins was fulsome in his praise for changes made to the school’s curriculum and its delivery by teaching staff.
He said: “Leaders have made significant, well-considered changes to the curriculum taught at the school. The curriculum now consistently builds the important knowledge and skills pupils need for future success.
“Changes and additions to this curriculum are carefully made so that they benefit all pupils. Teachers routinely make careful decisions about how to implement the curriculum and have secure subject knowledge.”
Mr Linkins also commended the school’s inclusive ethos, and in particular its provision for disadvantaged children.
He said: “Disadvantaged pupils are a priority throughout the school and their achievement and wellbeing are closely monitored. Where it is needed, alternative provision is used appropriately and leaders thoughtfully consider the use of additional funding for disadvantaged pupils.
“A clear understanding of the barriers to learning means that appropriate strategies are in place for pupils and this has had a very positive impact on pupils' education and wider experiences.”
Pupils' achievement was described by inspectors as “typically very positive” with children often achieving above average outcomes in national tests and examinations.
They said: “Pupils progress well, and sometimes rapidly, through the curriculum. Pupils typically produce work of a high quality in line with leaders' high expectations and are beginning to develop a deep, rich understanding of what they study across a range of subjects.”
Inspectors identified how pupils attendance has “improved over time” and that persistent absence has reduced significantly. They also described how pupils behave well in lessons with the the behaviour policy consistently applied. As a result, “disruption to learning and suspensions have reduced over time”.
Mr Linkins highlighted how the school’s leadership team “understand their school very well and have made thoughtful decisions about how to achieve rapid and sustained improvement”.
The report described how most parents appreciate the positive changes that have taken place at the school over time and feel their children are supported to behave well and achieve very positive outcomes.