Leigh Academies Trust is delighted to announce that Wilmington Academy has been rated outstanding in all areas in a recent Ofsted inspection. The inspection, which took place from 4th to 5th May 2023, highlighted the academy’s commitment to exceptional behaviour, inspiring curriculum and leaders’ high ambition for pupils’ education.
Commenting on the inspection, Principal Michael Gore said,
“I am delighted that the Ofsted team recognise the outstanding work that our staff, students, parents and carers undertake every day to ensure our community is the best it can be. To receive an outstanding judgement in all areas of the framework derives from years of ambition, dedication and a strong core belief that anything is possible if you put the hard work in. I am most proud of the references made towards our students as confident, responsible and respectful world citizens which reflect our achievement to ensure our students embody the personal characteristics of an IB Learner ”
The Ofsted report commended the academy’s commitment to the International Baccalaureate philosophy and programmes, as well as the reflective and driven nature of its leaders and governors.
The academy’s focus on student welfare and personal development was also highlighted.
“Leaders and staff are highly committed to pupils’ personal development, welfare and well-being. The personal development curriculum is delivered creatively and appropriately.”
The academy’s students were also praised for their positive contributions to academy life.
“Pupils are safe and happy. Their behaviour is exceptional. They are always thoughtful, polite and respectful,” the Ofsted report noted.
Mr Gore also expressed his gratitude to the academy’s community for their ongoing support.
‘Many of our staff, students and parents (past and present), have been on our transformational journey since 2009 when Leigh Academies Trust revolutionised Wilmington Enterprise College to Wilmington Academy and moved from an Ofsted special measures grading to this recent outstanding judgement. I am delighted that the hard work undertaken by the Wilmington Academy staff and LAT community has been recognised, including the comments regarding careers guidance, opportunities available for our students, the meticulously sequenced curriculum, the reflective and driven nature of leaders/governors and the impact of the quality of education all underpinned by the International Baccalaureate characteristics and programmes.’
The Ofsted report also praised the academy’s commitment to safeguarding, stating,
“The school has a very strong and well-established culture of safeguarding. Leaders ensure that safeguarding arrangements are robust.”
Commenting on the inspection, Simon Beamish, Chief Executive of Leigh Academies Trust, said,
“This is an incredible achievement. We know that under the current Ofsted framework to be rated outstanding is not easy but for a non-selective secondary school that is surrounded by grammar schools to achieve outstanding is very rare indeed. This is an achievement that the whole school community should be very proud of.”
The full Ofsted report is attached and will be published on the official Ofsted report website in the coming days.
View the full Ofsted Report