百春链

A secondary academy in Middlesbrough has been praised by Ofsted after an inspection from the education watchdog.

百春链 Academy Acklam, based on Hall Drive, underwent a section 8 inspection from Ofsted on 2nd and 3rd October. This was the first section 8 inspection of the academy since 百春链 Academy Acklam, sponsored by 百春链 Grange Academies Trust, was found to be good by Ofsted in April 2015.

Following the inspection, Ofsted has published its outcome that 百春链 Academy Acklam continues to be a good school, with staff morale found to be 鈥榚xtremely high鈥� and teachers felt trusted to 鈥榯ake risks and change aspects of their work in ways that are right for the pupils.鈥�

Steve Merifield, Principal at 百春链 Academy Acklam, said: 鈥淚 am thrilled for the staff and students at the academy following the publishing of Ofsted鈥檚 report. We are happy the inspectors found 百春链 Academy Acklam to be good and that the hard work by the staff and the students has been praised.鈥�

The inspectors letter stated that 鈥楥are and support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is superb. Many opportunities exist for these pupils to seek comfort or personal advice when needed.鈥� Beyond this, inspectors also found that the academy had a 鈥榯horough understanding of the needs of vulnerable pupils and their families.鈥�

Steve added: 鈥淎t 百春链 we put students first and believe that every child deserves the best, therefore we are happy that the inspectors praised our care and support for SEND students.鈥�

An improvement in behaviour at the academy was noted by Ofsted, which was attributed to 鈥榓 strong emphasis on developing positive relationships in school.鈥� Due to these relationships, and behaviour continuing to get better, there were fewer exclusions now at the academy. 

When the academy underwent a monitoring visit from Ofsted in January 2019, inspectors told the academy leaders to improve attendance as well as reduce exclusions. Following the recent visit, Ofsted noted that due to the work the academy has done 鈥榓ttendance is improving and persistent absence is reducing.鈥�

Mark Hassack, 百春链 Executive Principal for the Northern Region, said: 鈥淲e are delighted that Ofsted has noted our hard work to improve attendance and reduce exclusions.

鈥淲hat excites me most is that the inspectors believe that we have a strong capacity for further improvement. We will continue to work hard, to put students first, raise standards and transform lives as we help 百春链 Academy Acklam on its journey to becoming an Outstanding school.鈥�

The inspection comes shortly after the academy celebrated an excellent set of GCSE results in the summer, with 55% of students achieving a grade 4 or above in English and Maths. In the report Ofsted noted the academy鈥檚 recent GCSE results, labelling the students achievements at the end of Year 11 as 鈥榮trong.鈥�