Seaton Academy has turned a corner after inspectors have moved it out of a category of concern
Seaton Academy has turned a corner after inspectors have moved it out of a category of concern.
The school was given an “Inadequate” report in September 2022 when new Headteacher Robert Barton had been in post for less than a fortnight. But he vowed to turn the fortunes of the academy around, and Ofsted inspectors found a very different school when they visited before Christmas (on the 5th and 6th December).
The Academy has now been moved to the “Requires Improvement” category in recognition of the progress made, according to a fresh report.
The education watchdog does not typically revise its earlier findings so soon after an initial assessment. The report found that the “Increased expectations and ambition of leadership at all levels has contributed considerably to the turnaround of the school’s fortunes.” The inspectors added: “No time has been wasted in taking decisive action to tackle the areas of weakness identified at the previous inspection.” The inspectors also found that the effectiveness of governance had “improved greatly”, rating as “good” the personal development and behaviour of pupils.
Reacting to the positive news, Mr Barton said: “This is recognition that we have turned a corner and that we have shown rapid improvement. To be moved out of a ‘Category of concern’ in just over a year, having the Inspection changed from an ‘Ungraded’ to a ‘Graded’ inspection just shows how much has been achieved in such a short time. We are not quite at the stage where we can crack open the champagne, but this is welcome news and shows that we are on the right trajectory.
“This is the product of considerable hard work from staff and governors. As a school, we are certainly not resting on our laurels and work continues to make Seaton Academy the best it can be. “We are beginning to realise our potential, and we are now in a much better position to help the children realise theirs. The hard work continues.”
We want to extend a huge ‘Thank you’ for the overwhelming support of parents and pupils during his period of change.
Mr Barton also recognised Mark Jenkinson MP for his work to support the Academy, including representations to the Department for Education, Ofsted and Cumberland Council.
September’s inspection had been the first to be carried out at the school in over 12 years – before the school became an academy.
Because of its status change, the Academy was initially exempted from routine inspections, with Ofsted admitting in its earlier report that there had been a “longer gap than usual between inspections”.
Speaking after the initial announcement, Mr Barton assured parents that he had taken decisive action to “halt the decline” and was striving to bring in the necessary changes at a “tremendous pace”.
Mark Jenkinson MP said:
“Mr Barton was as good as his word. He said he would turn the fortunes of the school around, and he has done just that – with the help of staff and governors.
“I have every faith in Seaton Academy to keep improving. The turnaround has been nothing short of remarkable. Well done to everyone involved.”
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