Schools North East would like to extend their congratulations to Partner School Haughton Academy in Darlington, as they celebrate being awarded a ‘Good’ rating from Ofsted for the first time in their history.
Key areas of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management and personal development were all rated ‘good’ when, in previous inspections, the school, a part of the Education Village Academy Trust, had been ranked ‘satisfactory’ under the old Ofsted ratings and, more recently, ‘requires improvement.’
Principal Jonathan Lumb said ‘We have a high quality and settled leadership team, excellent heads of department and middle management and a talented and dedicated teaching staff who have the unstinting support of governors, pupils and parents. We aim to ensure that all pupils succeed at university, or excel in their careers and have a great life.’
Haughton Academy’s Ofsted result is all the more impressive considering it took place while many members of staff and students were absent due to the impact of covid. ‘The good rating is testament to all the hard work of everyone in our school community which has pulled together to make sure learning is the very best it can be,’ Jonathan said. ‘To achieve this against the backdrop of a pandemic is tremendous.’
Inspectors said over the past three years the school had been transformed, with the report stating that ‘Leaders and staff have high expectations for all pupils and these expectations are lived out daily by staff and pupils through the school’s clear set of core values: prepared, resilient, open-minded, united and determined. These values are the heartbeat of the school.’
The report went on to praise pupil behaviour, stating that ‘behaviour in lessons is calm. This creates a positive atmosphere in lessons where pupils can focus on content without distraction,’ as well as praising the curriculum that is being delivered, as ‘pupils benefit from a broad curriculum which is challenging and ambitious. Pupils are interested learners at Haughton Academy. This interest is nurtured and developed by staff.’
Mike Butler, Chief Executive of the Education Village Academy Trust said that what Haughton Academy is doing on a daily basis will have a positive impact in the long run. Mike said ‘this Ofsted rating of good is richly deserved and reflects the unrelenting efforts of Jonathan, his staff, pupils, governors and families who invest their all in the school on a daily basis. I am delighted that Haughton Academy is providing Darlington and the Tees Valley with a rich seam of talented, committed and conscientious young citizens who I’m sure will go on to benefit the region in years to come.’
The students of the school also took pride in the latest Ofsted report, with Head Boy Tom Kipling saying ‘It is brilliant. Over the past five years we have seen the school transform and we are really proud of the result,’ while Head Girl Aimee Cassidy praised Mr Lumb and his Senior Leadership Team, by saying ‘I am really proud to be a pupil at Haughton Academy. Mr Lumb and the senior leadership team have worked really hard and it has paid off. We are really proud of him as well.’
Deputy Head Girls Paige Morehead and Gagandeep Bura focused on how the rating would allow them to leave the school with good memories of their time there. Paige said ’I think the school has grown with us and it is great to be leaving with a good rating, while Gagandeep added ‘it is amazing to see everything we have achieved together, united and I am glad to leave the school with the very best memories of studying here.’
A massive congratulations to all the staff and students at Haughton Academy for their ‘Good’ Ofsted result.
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