CLAYTON HALL ACADEMY ANNOUNCES OFSTED SUCCESS FOLLOWING A TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY AT THE SCHOOL

19th March 2024

Staff and students at Clayton Hall Academy in Newcastle-under-Lyme are celebrating Ofsted success after the school achieved ‘good’ in all areas following its recent inspection (6-7 February). The secondary school, which was deemed ‘requires improvement’ at its last inspection in 2021, was praised by inspectors for the improvements it has made, and the clear ambition Windsor Academy Trust has for the school since joining in January this year. 

Recognising the school’s rapid improvement, inspectors said that students now benefit from a curriculum that is “consistent in its ambition and delivery” and that they learn well with outcomes improved overall. The report noted that students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs accurately identified, and teachers are provided with useful information to adapt their learning activities, meaning that students with SEND achieve well.

Inspectors praised the wide range of extracurricular opportunities that the school offers with students, especially younger students, appreciating the number of sports clubs and the variety of trips available. Overall, inspectors found that students are “well informed … by well-timed and broad careers education, information, advice and guidance”, ensuring students are able “to make truly informed decisions about future destinations”.

Furthermore, the school was commended for its “effective” personal development offer that “enables students to discuss matters of importance to them in a mature way”. Inspectors noted the school’s consistent approach to behaviour management and found student behaviour to be “calm and well ordered”. Students also reported to inspectors that they are “happy and feel safe at the school” and able to raise any concerns with leaders.

Commenting on the findings of the Ofsted report, headteacher, Caty Reid, said:

Since joining the school as headteacher in XX, Clayton Hall Academy has been on a journey of transformation. While it hasn’t been an easy journey, we can now proudly say that our school is ‘good’ in all areas. 

 

I am particularly pleased that inspectors recognised how happy and safe our students feel when at school, and that the strength of both our curriculum and extra-curricular provision has been commended. We work incredibly hard to foster a positive attitude towards learning and behaviour so that when our young people walk out of our school gates for the very last time, they will leave as the very best versions of themselves, with good outcomes and an incredibly bright future ahead of them.

Dan Owen, Director of Education at Windsor Academy Trust, added: “I am exceptionally proud that Clayton Hall Academy has been recognised for the high quality education it offers. While the school only joined our trust in January, we can already see the culture of excellence that is starting to embed into every aspect of school life. We have big ambitions for the school as part of the Windsor Academy Trust family and we will support the leaders, staff and students at the school to ensure that Clayton Hall Academy continues to go from strength to strength.”