Sutton Community Academy requires improvement says first Ofsted report

The grade three was awarded to the college which has not previously been inspected as an academy, though inspectors praised the new Principal Tim Croft’s “clear vision” for the school.

Criticisms included not enough year 11 students made expected progress in Maths.

Teaching is not consistently good enough to ensure students, particularly the most able, make enough progress in all subjects.

The sixth form requires improvement, students’ literacy skills require development and senior leaders and the academy sponsor had been too optimistic judging the quality of teaching.

Inspectors said the school was improving with good achievement in English Language, drama, business studies and vocational subjects.

Tim Croft, Principal said: “We are really pleased that the changes we have already made within our academy were acknowledged by the Ofsted team. We are focused on continuing to improve teaching and the ‘good’ behaviour the inspectors saw in our pupils creates an excellent platform for us to build upon – where teachers can teach and pupils can learn”.

Following the two-day visit, Ofsted said the academy’s curriculum is “broad and balanced” and the “positive behaviour of the students reflects their good moral and social development”. There were good relationships between teachers and pupils, improved attendance and pupils take pride in their appearance.