'Huge sense of pride' as Westwood Academy has success across the board in latest Ofsted inspection
The new headteacher of Westwood Academy says she is "absolutely delighted" with the school's latest Ofsted report, which has seen it graded 'good' across all five key areas.
Previously rated 'requires improvement' the Mitchell Avenue school has made strides across the board as part of the Kenilworth Multi Academy Trust (KMAT) - which also includes Kenilworth School - with this latest report bringing a "huge sense of pride" to the community.
For new head Sarah Hatch, who started at the beginning of the academic year, it marks a huge step forward in Westwood's journey.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the report and I think what really makes me even happier is that the inspection team recognised all the great things that we're doing here," she told Nub News.
"They really did pick up on the values, the mantra of 'better never stops', and they saw everything since the last inspection that the school has done.
"So I'm delighted with it."
Sarah was quick to praise the staff at Westwood whose hard work has been recognised by the report which in particular praised the "ambitious curriculum" and "decisive action" which has helped put the school back on a stronger footing.
The inspector praised the school for improving attendance, supporting SEND pupils, improving behaviour and offering a range of extra-curricular activities.
These high expectations, clear rules and commitment to improvement all form what the school calls 'The Westwood Way'.
"What we do at Westwood is we enable children to flourish in all areas - flourishing as an individual, not just academically, but personally," Sarah explained.
"And that is better never stops for the children.
"We do know that when children engage more in personal development, it aids their academic studies as well.
"So there is a very clear link between the personal development and the academic progress that children have."
As well as quality of education, behaviour, personal development and leadership, Westwood was, in particular, praised for its sixth-form provision.
With students at the schools being able to access classes at both Westwood and Kenilworth School, KMAT CEO Hayden Abbott explained how the recent inspection showed the clear benefits of the trust in providing equality diversity and inclusion for all.
"The collaboration between the two schools does bring more opportunities for students," he said.
"It's fundamental to the trust, it's why the trust was actually formulated; why the trust came into existence.
Published last week, Westwood's new Ofsted rating also comes on the back of changes to inspections from the government, which have seen a more comprehensive review of the five key areas.
Sarah explained the inspectors were very rigorous and challenged the changes the school was making, which she said brought a "big sense of achievement" when the report was released.
"We are all working as one team, sharing the same values, the vision aligned, not just as a school, but with the trust ambition of 'Aspiring to Excellence," she explained
"It's better never stops and our fundamental belief in setting high expectations for the children. What we don't do is we don't lower our expectations for the children".
"We make sure that the expectations are high in all areas of school.
"So it's not just about academic learning, it's about how children conduct themselves around school, how they conduct themselves with each other."
And with Westwood having already identified and taken steps to address the areas for improvement mentioned in the report Hayden also added his delight at the report.
He said: "I am really proud of the achievements of everybody in the school and its community, working together to achieve this success.
"It puts Westwood in its rightful place as a strong education provider.
"The report recognises the great success and the hard work of the school community."
See the full report here.
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