Queen Elizabeth’s Academy has been part of Diverse Academies Learning Partnership since September 2016. Prior to this, the academy had been rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted and subject to special measures by the Department for Education. Ofsted’s inspection in June 2019 recognised the very significant steps that have been taken towards transforming the academy, and whilst the latest overall judgement is ‘requires improvement’, elements of the provision are now judged to be ‘good’.
The Ofsted inspection team found that ‘leaders are dedicated to improving the quality of education’, ‘are ambitious for pupils’ and ‘are deeply committed to their work’. The report goes on to highlight the work of the principal and academy leadership team, whose ‘keen sense of moral purpose’ has ensured that the academy has ‘created a culture of high aspiration for all pupils.’
In response to the inspection, Helena Brothwell, Principal of Queen Elizabeth’s Academy said: “I am so proud of what our team and community have achieved so far. We researched and devised an approach to school improvement that we felt would work well for the academy and our students. The ‘QEA way’, as it is known, has sought to address gaps in student’s knowledge and understanding, and to transform the style of teaching delivered, so that all of our students can achieve their full potential. I am delighted to see that Ofsted acknowledged how we ‘work with integrity’ and were able to experience the supportive environment in which our teachers, students and parents work well together.”
Two areas of the report were judged to be ‘good’ – the personal development, behaviour and welfare of students, and the post 16 provision. Inspectors found ‘staff build pupils’ confidence so that they can become successful learners’ who are ‘proud to be members of the school’, and that ‘the behaviour of pupils is good’. Inspectors reported the academy’s students had ‘positive attitudes to learning’, which was further evidenced in the progress of sixth-form students. The Post 16 provision is described as ‘a strength of the school’, with a ‘range of curricular and extra-curricular options’ now available through the partnership at Hucknall Sixth Form Centre, where ‘opportunities support students’ academic and personal development well.’
Neil Holmes, Diverse Academies Senior Executive Leader added: “In the relatively short time the academy has been with the Trust, our leadership and management team have implemented, and continue to drive, a strong turnaround strategy. This has resulted in a significant shift in Queen Elizabeth’s position and we are delighted to see Ofsted’s praise of this in their recent visit. We recognise that there is more work to be done, and our commitment to the academy remains unwavering, but it has been no mean feat in achieving this progress to date. Queen Elizabeth’s has an exciting future ahead of it, and most importantly, is an academy for which its students, parents, teachers and governors can all be very proud of.”
To read the full report, please download it here: QEA – Ofsted report June 2019