Sandwell Academy rated outstanding for third time running
A Black Country academy has been rated outstanding for the third time in a row.
Sandwell Academy, in West Bromwich, one of the best performing in the Black Country, has maintained its high standards, securing a hat-trick of outstanding ratings from Ofsted.
The academy, which is next to The Hawthorns on Halfords Lane, first achieved the coveted status in 2011 and has held onto it ever since, coming through another two inspections with flying colours.
The education regulator described the leadership as 'assured, confident and responsive' and 'absolutely no complacency'.
Teachers were also praised for allowing students to enter GCSE exams early and said the academy 'prioritised pupils’ individual success and achievement over whole school league tables'.
Simon Topper, headteacher at Sandwell Academy, said: “I am incredibly proud of the achievements of students’ at Sandwell Academy and delighted that everyone’s hard work and efforts have been recognised in such a positive report once again”.
“We have an educational philosophy here that is proving to be highly successful across our collaborative of schools and I am so pleased that this academy is demonstrating a sustained ability to make a real difference to the lives of young people in Sandwell”.
The one-day inspection included meetings with the senior leadership team and other key staff, an analysis of published data and current progress of students, behaviour of students, learning and teaching observations, meetings with students from all years and a scrutiny of safeguarding procedures.
Councillor Simon Hackett, children's services boss at Sandwell Council, said: “The academy have obviously demonstrated to Ofsted that the school achieves and maintains such high standards.
“I want to say well done to the staff, children, parents and carers who have all contributed to the academy achieving Ofsted’s highest rating of outstanding."
The academy has achieved impressive results since opening in 2006, and has bucked the general trend of academy schools in Sandwell.
