Following our graded Ofsted inspection on 6th / 7th December 2022, we are delighted to confirm that Hayesbrook Academy continues to be a ‘good’ school where behaviour and attitudes were recognised as ‘outstanding’.
This was the first inspection of the academy in almost six years, during which the school has faced a number of challenges but the report demonstrates the exceptional efforts from staff at the school and Leigh Academies Trust in raising standards for our students. The report, published today, recognised the many strengths of Hayesbrook Academy stating “Behaviour and attitudes are exceptional”.
Furthermore, the inspection recognised strengths in reading and literacy; careers provision; teachers’ subject knowledge; the support provided by the trust and the governing body; as well as identifying the ‘meticulous’ arrangements for safeguarding. The report also recognised “Senior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations…”.. These strengths were fully underpinned by the Inspectors through their meetings with students and staff, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from the parental community.
Principal, Michael Crow, spoke of his delight with the outcome. ‘This report recognises the very many strengths of Hayesbrook Academy, most importantly recognising the impeccable attitude and behaviour of our students. They are the reason we all get up in the morning and bring the rich personality to Hayesbrook. I am also delighted that the report recognises the strengths of the staff so that our students and parents can feel proud that they attend this school.’
Mr Crow was also quick to praise the work of Leigh Academies Trust. ‘Whilst there was much that was already brilliant about Hayesbrook prior to joining the trust, it would be remiss not to mention the support that LAT has provided us with staffing, training and the financial investment into the academy that has contributed substantially to recent improvements. This report provides an excellent foundation for us as we become the co-ed Leigh Academy Tonbridge, welcoming our first mixed cohort in September, and should give parents of boys and girls the confidence to know that there is a very good, mixed comprehensive school accessible to them in south Tonbridge. We will not rest on our laurels, we have already begun to address the development points identified by Ofsted and our own identified areas for development as we seek to not just be a ‘good’ school but an exceptional one’.
