Ooo, Harry Watts Academy got an OOO… an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted Outcome!
The specialist academy, based in Sunderland, had an Ofsted inspection July 13 and 14 and recently received the highest possible rating.
But wait, it gets better. All the key areas of quality of education, behaviours and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were similarly evaluated as… ‘Outstanding’!
Brilliant work from everyone involved
Harry Watts Academy is a specialist academy for over 170 pupils, aged five to 16 years, with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and complex learning difficulties. All pupils have a respective Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
In September 2020, the academy opened under Prosper Learning Trust and operates across two sites – the Redhouse Site in Sunderland, and the Harraton Site in Washington.
Inspectors praised staff, commenting that they “have a limitless ambition for what pupils can achieve” and are “totally committed” to ensure pupils “receive the best education and the best opportunities as a right”.
Additionally, they highlighted the positive relationship between staff and pupils, which allows for pupil behaviour to be a “strength of the school”.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “The entire team at Schools North East want to congratulate staff and students at Harry Watts Academy for this brilliant achievement.
“All of our region’s schools are outstanding in their own way, but every time this is recognised by the official education watchdog, we feel a special sense of pride. The inspection framework is challenging, to say the least, but with these positive results, you wouldn’t even be able to tell.
“Specialist academies don’t always get exactly what they need for the best chance at success, so for Harry Watts Academy to have achieved this – despite the challenges – is even more incredible and well worth an extended celebration. Great work, everyone!”
Delighted staff and students alike
Other aspects of the school’s work were highlighted in the report, including the school’s “exemplary approach to reading” and the “highly impressive” personal character and development, as well as a particular endorsement of the method of EHCPs translating into clear academic routes for each pupil.
Louise Hindmarch was the Deputy Head Teacher at the time of the inspection and has since been appointed as Head Teacher, following the retirement of former Head Teacher Derek Cogle.
Hindmarch said: “I am absolutely delighted with our Ofsted report achieved in the context of a very challenging inspection framework.
“This is testament to the incredible hard work and dedication that every single member of staff puts in every single day, to ensure our pupils receive the best possible education and care, which is what they deserve.
“I am particularly pleased that Ofsted commented on how Harry Watts Academy is a school of ‘immense warmth and care’ and is ‘a family school’, as I believe this really captures our ethos and values.”
Chris Richardson, Chief Executive Officer of Prosper Learning Trust, said: “This Ofsted report is about the most unrelentingly positive I’ve ever read.
“As such, it is a fitting tribute to the fantastic work that Louise and her team do every day on behalf of the young people who attend Harry Watts Academy and their families.
“As a Trust and a school, we work closely with Sunderland to provide the best possible educational experience for young people with autism, and the pupils’ own pride in their school was evident throughout the inspection.
“It also captures the legacy of the previous Head Teacher, Derek Cogle who led the school from the day it opened.”
A wonderful story that encapsulates the incredible journey of this school. Congratulations again, Harry Watts Academy!
Harry Watts Academy is a Schools North East Partner School . If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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