Picture caption: Paul Todd, Principal of Lansdown Park Academy, said he is ‘incredibly proud’ to see the school earn four ‘exceptional’ Ofsted grades.
Lansdown Park Academy in Stockwood has earned the best Ofsted report achieved by a South West school under the watchdog’s new inspection framework – just four years after it was judged ‘inadequate’ by inspectors.
Lansdown Park – a pupil referral unit for students who require additional support with their behaviour – was being assessed under the new-look Ofsted’s framework, which awards ‘exceptional’ ratings for even higher standards than its former ‘outstanding’ grades.
The academy not only became the first school in Bristol to earn an ‘exceptional’ grading – it is also the first in the South West to achieve that level in multiple categories after being told by inspectors it is ‘exceptional’ in four different key areas.
Inspectors rated Lansdown Park as ‘exceptional’ for the quality of its leadership and governance, its ethos of inclusion, the behaviour and attendance of pupils, and for student achievement.
Additionally, it earned ‘strong’ ratings for its curriculum and teaching, and for the personal development opportunities it creates for young people.
In her report, lead inspector Liz Geller said: “Pupils are genuinely valued at Lansdown Park Academy.
“All arrive with historic negative experiences of education. Most have social, emotional and mental health needs. Leaders ensure pupils’ voices are heard.
“Carefully tailored transition arrangements mean that pupils settle quickly. Pupils feel a deep sense of belonging in this highly inclusive school.
“Staff waste no time in building positive, trusting and nurturing relationships with pupils. Pupils trust staff deeply and know that they will help them to deal with any issues they have. As a result, pupils feel safe and happy in school.”
The report went on to praise Lansdown Park in a number of key areas.
On inclusion, Ofsted said: “Staff’s belief in all pupils’ potential transforms pupils’ feeling of self-worth.
“The school takes a highly tailored approach to remove barriers to learning and/or wellbeing. Leaders identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities quickly and precisely.
“Staff ensure that all pupils access the full curriculum and the wider opportunities the school has to offer. This attention to detail is consistent throughout the whole school.”
On school leadership, the report said: “Leaders at all levels know the school exceptionally well. Their strategic oversight is excellent.
“Leaders have rightly identified and prioritised actions that have a transformational impact on pupils. Leaders’ work is underpinned by a strong moral imperative to improve pupils’ life chances. They ensure that every pupil has the best opportunity to succeed.
“Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive. They recognise the tangible difference leaders have made to pupils’ lives.”
On student behaviour, inspectors said: “Staff apply the behaviour policy consistently and effectively. As a result, pupils behave very well. They understand leaders’ expectations. Pupils develop very positive attitudes to learning.
“Overall, the school’s highly positive culture of attendance and behaviour has a transformational impact on pupils and their families.”
On student achievement, Ofsted said: “For many pupils, this is the first time they have successfully engaged with education. The school sets no limits to what pupils can achieve. Although pupils arrive at school with very low starting points, they progress very rapidly.
“Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for next stage of learning. Many pupils successfully return to mainstream or special schools. Those who complete their studies at the school move successfully on to appropriate education and training.”
And on pupil wellbeing, inspectors added: “Everyone who joins the school is welcomed warmly and made to feel part of the school community. Pupils are supported to thrive.”
Inspectors offered further praise for Lansdown Park’s ‘broad and ambitious’ curriculum, the ‘astute understanding’ of teaching needs, and the ‘meticulously constructed’ programme of development activities on offer.
Ofsted’s assessment is testament to the improvement measures implemented by the team at Lansdown Park since its previous rating of ‘inadequate’ four years ago – and the findings were welcomed by leaders at the school and its parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation.
Paul Todd – who took over as Principal of Lansdown Park Academy in 2022 – said:
“We are delighted that the work over the past four years has been rightly recognised in the recent Ofsted report.
“We hope that the report gives the parents, children and communities we serve additional confidence in what we do here.
“I am incredibly proud of the team of staff, their ongoing commitment to inclusive practice while holding a high standard in everything we do.”
Steve Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, said:
“For some time now, the exceptional quality of the provision at Lansdown Park has been something of a well-kept secret!
“While many of us have known that the school has been delivering excellence for some of the most vulnerable learners in Bristol and beyond for some time, the validation of this judgement by Ofsted has been helpful, both in terms of reassuring parents and carers and for providing a moment to celebrate the strong work of an excellent team.”
