Cornwall Education Learning Trust is delighted to announce the findings of Newquay Primary Academy's first Ofsted inspection on 23 and 24 January 2024, which recognised the outstanding Early Years provision and categorises it as an ‘outstanding school’ in all areas.
During the Ofsted visit, inspectors judged the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management all to be outstanding, leading to an overall effectiveness judgement of outstanding. This recognition puts the Newquay Primary Academy in a position amongst the UK’s elite of ‘outstanding’ education providers.
Newquay Primary Academy opened in 2021 and is the Trust's first free school. It hasn't had the easiest of starts, with difficulties with its planned new building, including demolition of the partially completed work.
Despite this, Ofsted inspectors noted how the academy has continued to thrive and excel in its standard of education. The Ofsted report notes how "all involved with the school, including the Trust, have worked quickly to provide an environment that is purposeful, stimulating and welcoming for pupils."
The academy's Executive Headteacher, Craig Hayes said: "We are delighted. All of our hard work over the last three years has paid off. The parents have been so supportive and that was reflected in the feedback from ParentView. Staff have been phenomenal and have worked tirelessly to make sure the quality of education is outstanding for our pupils."
Highlights for the Ofsted report:
- Pupils display immense pride in being a part of their school community.
- Pupils eagerly talk about their learning.
- Excellent attendance reflects how much pupils enjoy school.
- The academy’s unrelenting focus on the curriculum and ensuring pupils learn it well, results in pupils receiving an exceptional education.
- Continual high-quality training means staff at all levels are highly knowledgeable about the subjects they teach.
- Pupils respond well to the high expectations of behaviour staff expect, both in the classroom and around the school site.
- Meaningful experiences such as performing and recording songs to raise money for a local food bank are strategically woven into the curriculum.
- Pupils with SEND learn the same knowledge-rich curriculum. Staff make appropriate adaptations to support individual needs.
- Highly ambitious vocabulary is identified and continuously reinforced across all subjects. Pupils use these words with confidence.
- Newquay Primary Academy fully utilises the locality to extend the curriculum further. This helps pupils to gain an excellent understanding of a sense of place.
- Reading underpins the whole curriculum. The approach to phonics is rigorous.
- Pupils show a mature understanding of equality. They understand fundamental British Values and their importance, such as the rule of law.
- Close links between the governing body and the Trust, mean there is strong oversight of the academy.
- Parents and carers feel the same pride and passion about the school as their children. They welcome the academy’s caring ethos, timely communication as well the celebration of its work on social media.
Read the full Ofsted Report below.