'A very special place' – school welcomes latest Ofsted report
STRENGTHS including a “family feel”, a “focus on inclusion” and “warm and positive relationships” have been highlighted by Ofsted in its most recent report of a “vibrant” school in Rotherham.
Inspectors also praised Wingfield School for its “culture based on high expectations” and students who “behave with respect and courtesy for each other.”
Under the new Ofsted system, Wingfield was assessed in six areas - Achievement, Attendance and behaviour, Curriculum and teaching, Inclusion, Leadership and governance, and Personal development and wellbeing.
Schools are then given a ranking in each area of 'Exceptional', 'Strong standard', 'Expected standard', 'Needs attention', or 'Urgent improvement.'
In the latest inspection and under the new system, the school – on Wingfield Road – reached
'Strong standard' in five out of six areas and 'Expected Standard' for Personal development and wellbeing.
Its previous report from June 2022 and under the old system found Wingfield Academy 'continued to be a good school.'
Inspectors highlighted areas in the report for the school – part of New Collaborative Learning Trust – including: “Leaders have a sharp focus on inclusion. They know the pupils well, especially the most vulnerable.”
“Pupils feel safe here. They know that if they have any concerns, they can share them with trusted adults and they will be acted on.”
“Pupils, particularly those who are disadvantaged, make excellent progress at the school.”
“Leaders have devised a robust and evidence informed attendance strategy” and went on to note: “This strategy is consistently implemented.”
“Pupils are happy and enjoy attending this vibrant school.
“Warm and positive relationships exist between pupils and staff creating a 'family feel' at the school.”
Ofsted inspectors who visited the school last month (June) also quoted a pupil as saying: “‘Everyone is ready to support each other - pupil to pupil, staff to pupil and staff to staff, it’s like a second home.'”
Headteacher Jordon O'Neill, herself a former student, said: “We are incredibly proud of this outcome because it reflects what we've always believed – that Wingfield Academy is a very special place.
“However, this recognition isn't about one inspection or one person.
“It represents years of hard work, ambition and commitment from our students, staff, parents, carers and the wider community.
“it is an achievement that belongs to all of us.
“I'm proud of the outcome, but I'm even prouder that the report recognises the culture of our school – the warm relationships, the family feel and the genuine sense of belonging our pupils experience every day.
“These comments mean just as much to me as the inspection judgements because they capture what makes Wingfield the place it is.
"Like everyone who works at Wingfield, I’m ambitious for our future.
“We want to continue improving because the young people in this community deserve the very best.
"My ambition is for Wingfield Academy to be recognised as one of the very best schools in the country while never losing sight of who we are, where we’ve come from and the community we are proud to serve.”