Winterstoke Hundred Academy’s ‘detailed and ambitious’ curriculum and the ‘sense of belonging’ it creates for students have earned the school a ‘good’ rating in its first ever Ofsted inspection.
The Weston-super-Mare school – which opened in Beaufighter Road in 2020 and this month expanded to a second site at Locking Parklands – was visited by an Ofsted team for a two-day inspection.
Inspectors spoke with school leaders, pupils and parents, and scrutinised the curriculum, observed lessons and analysed students’ work.
They concluded that Winterstoke Hundred – part of the Cabot Learning Federation – is ‘good’ in all areas.
Lead inspector Rachel Hesketh said in her report: “Since opening in September 2020 with one year group, the pupil population has increased and so the school has changed significantly year-on-year. Pupils have adapted to the changes and are well supported by staff, both for their well-being and academically.
“Pupils’ behaviour in lessons is calm and orderly. All pupils know the routines for learning.
“The school creates a sense of belonging for pupils. For example, the innovative breakfast club makes it attractive to come to school. As a result, many pupils arrive early and attend well.
“The trust works with teachers to develop a well-organised and ambitious curriculum. As a result, teachers know how the curriculum builds over time. They adapt and structure learning to be relevant for pupils. Teachers’ curriculum thinking is detailed and specific.
“Pupils learn about fundamental British values, tolerance and respect throughout the curriculum.”
And on Winterstoke Hundred’s Sixth Form, inspectors added: “The sixth form has rapidly expanded since the school opened. The sixth-form curriculum has adapted and changed as numbers have increased.
“The school ensures there is a broad and ambitious offer for students that prepares them for their chosen pathways. Students select from a range of A-level and vocational courses. These lead to university entrance, apprenticeships and training for future careers.”
Inspectors were also complimentary about Winterstoke Hundred’s ‘effective’ safeguarding, ‘robust’ policies for students with additional needs, and its ‘wide variety’ of extracurricular clubs enabling students to engage in new activities and passions.
The overall grading means that all Cabot Learning Federation schools in the Weston-super-Mare area – including sister academies Hans Price and Broadoak, and the primary academies of Herons’ Moor, Haywood Village, and Uphill Village – are now all rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding.’
School leaders have welcomed Ofsted’s findings, which they say is testament to the hard work of staff since Winterstoke Hundred opened three years ago.
Matthew Randle, newly-appointed Principal at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said:
“I am extremely excited about taking over the reins at Winterstoke Hundred at a time coinciding with the publication of the school’s first Ofsted report, which is good in all areas, and at the moment we extend into our second site. The foundations have been laid in every sense, and we will now really fly!”
Tony Searle, Executive Principal at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said:
“It has been an honour to work closely with colleagues at Winterstoke as we continue to build a fantastic academy for the communities we serve.
“We are delighted with the recognition of our current strengths in safeguarding, curriculum and behaviour, but also our ambition for even more as we grow our academy.
“Our sixth form offer goes from strength to strength, and we look forward to excellent recruitment for the 2024/25 academic year.”
Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:
“This is great news for the community in Weston-super-Mare, which now has a range of strong secondary school provision from which to choose.
“I am delighted the report is so positive about the experience of learners in the sixth form – clear validation for students who would choose a school-based sixth form, that a strong offer is on their doorstep.”
Picture caption: Principal Matthew Randle at Winterstoke Hundred Academy’s newly-opened Locking Parklands campus.
