“Lodge Park Academy is not defined by its past – it is now stronger than ever" - Pride at latest Ofsted inspection for Corby academy

The Corby school, which is part of the David Ross Education Trust, has written to the school community to share its recent Ofsted report.

It has been praised by Ofsted for ‘transformative improvements’, being welcoming and the ‘firm sense of belonging’ which students enjoy.

The inspection at LPA was carried out under the new Ofsted framework.

Schools are no longer given one-word judgements, but now graded across a range of areas on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement, with expected standard being the new benchmark for high-performing schools.

LPA was graded as strong standard for leadership and governance, personal development and well-being and post-16 provision, and expected for attendance and behaviour, inclusion and curriculum and teaching.

Among the highlights, inspectors said that ‘pupils feel well cared for and safe’ and staff know them well, identifying any barriers to learning or well-being needs that students may have.

The report identified that parents are overwhelmingly appreciative of the transformative improvements, with the accompanying parent survey confirming nine in 10 parents would recommend Lodge Park to another parent.

The ‘strong sense of community at Lodge Park’ is highlighted by Ofsted, with inspectors highlighting that students are encouraged to build ‘character and community spirit’ and take part in the school’s ‘innovative’ incentives for the school house system to help improve attendance and learning.

Inspectors say students behave well in ‘calm lessons that are purposeful and typically disruption free’.

Students also build positive relationships across the school while observing the school’s values of respect, resilience and gratitude which ‘lie at the heart of all that the school does’.

Ofsted go on to comment that bullying is rare and it is addressed swiftly and effectively.

The school’s inclusive nature is praised by inspectors, who say leaders are ‘highly ambitious for all learners’, with highly effective systems in place to support those with special education and/or disabilities (SEND) and who speak English as an additional language.

The sixth form is highlighted as a strength, with students describing it as ‘a special place to study’ with a ‘distinctive family feel’.

Students are helped and well-informed about their future options by staff who offer ‘expert care and guidance’.

Jonathon Kirby, principal of Lodge Park Academy, said: “We hope that all members of our community – staff, students and families – take well-deserved pride in this report.

"Lodge Park has worked with determination and resilience to move beyond past challenges and this outcome represents an important milestone in that journey.

“Lodge Park Academy is not defined by its past – it is now stronger than ever and we look ahead with confidence, ambition and a continued commitment to excellence.”

Sue Jones, executive principal at Lodge Park Academy, said: “I would like to congratulate Jonathon and the whole team for this excellent report.

"I am very pleased that the community spirit has been captured in the report, alongside everything we do to support children at LPA, including the improved achievement by students, the extra curricular activities they can participate in and the support for students with additional needs.

"We will continue our work with everything we have put in place to prepare students well for exams and their future lives.”