Outstanding Ofsted judgements for primary academy

The effectiveness of the academy’s leadership and management, the quality of its teaching, learning and assessment, its support for pupils’ personal development, behaviour and welfare, and the quality of its early years provision were all judged to be Outstanding; with pupil outcomes and overall effectiveness judged as Good. It is the only Good school nationally to have achieved four outstanding judgements under the current inspection framework, which has seen over 1,700 primary schools inspected.

West St Leonards’ pupils were credited as being “mature and respectful citizens who behave exceptionally well in class” and who impressed inspectors with their “excellent attitudes to learning”. One pupil told an inspector: “High expectations help us build our character”. The “overwhelming” support from parents for the academy was also recognised.

Pupils at West St Leonards Primary Academy

Principal Frances Robinson

Inspectors praised the academy’s Principal and leaders, stating that they have “developed a culture of very high expectations and aspiration”, whilst empowering colleagues to “successfully lead improvements in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment”. Teaching is “typically outstanding” and “expectations in all classrooms are very high”. Teachers have “very secure subject knowledge”, whilst the curriculum was recognised as “inclusive, varied and interesting”. Inspectors also noted that “the teaching on writing is exemplary”, whilst pupils with special educational needs are supported “exceptionally well”.

The Hastings Academies Trust and the academy’s local governing body were recognised as providing “school leaders with highly effective support and challenge”.

Frances Robinson, Principal said:  “We are extremely pleased with the Ofsted report, and I am very proud that the achievements of West St Leonards pupils, staff and parents have been recognised in this way. Our desire to continually improve the quality of teaching and learning for pupils is relentless, and we are already addressing the small number of recommendations in the report.”

Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of the University of Brighton Academies Trust said: “It is a delight to read this report! It is overwhelmingly outstanding in its praise for the work of West St Leonards, and is a well-deserved recognition of the academy’s achievements.”