PROUD staff and pupils at Harris Church of England Academy have celebrated the school’s best ever Ofsted grading.
For the first time in its history, the school has been graded ‘Good’ in all areas in a recent inspection.
Having visited Harris in May, inspectors penned a glowing report, saying teaching was well organised, and pupils made good progress with their learning ‘building effectively from year to year’.
The education inspectorate placed Harris into ‘special measures’ in 2016 – and in 2018 recognised the academy had made progress but ‘required improvement.’
Now Ofsted says the school has put ‘ambitious plans for learning’ in place, tackled issues which had caused pupils to underachieve, provided ‘quality training’ to teachers, and appointed well-qualified teachers to fill vacancies since the last full inspection.
The report opens: “The school’s values are harmonious, aspirational, responsible, respectful, inspirational and sociable,” adding: “Pupils feel safe at the school. They know they can rely on staff to help and support them.”
Headteacher Roberta Harrison said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved and I would like to thank all of the staff, students and parents for their continued hard work and support which has enabled our school to thrive.
“We are blessed with wonderful staff and so I was very pleased to read that inspectors found ‘Leaders support staff well and are mindful of their workload’.”
Acting Headteacher Chris Peirce praised the academy’s pupils.
He said: “Inspectors were impressed by students’ dedication to their learning in lessons and the ways they were able to articulate what it means to be part of our school community. It truly is a privilege to work with such young people.”
Michael Cowland, CEO of The Diocese of Coventry Multi-Academy Trust which runs the academy, said the judgement reflected the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
He said: “The academy was in a difficult place when it joined the trust, so to receive a judgement of good in all areas is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many people.”
Harris Church of England Academy joined the Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust in 2014. It currently has 823 students.
