Austin Farm Academy - small school with big heart triumphs in latest Ofsted
Proud, resilient, and respectful – Austin Farm Academy started the Autumn term with a definite spring in its step sharing news of its ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.
Austin Farm Academy, part of Westcountry Schools Trust in the heart of Plymouth, has undergone a remarkable transformation, securing an overall ‘Good’ rating in their most recent Ofsted inspection published September 19, 2023.
This represents a remarkable turnaround for the school that hasn’t been judged ‘Good’ since 2011.
The school is also celebrating being the only primary school in the local area to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ grade for its early years provision.
Ofsted inspectors praised early years’ staff for creating a language-rich environment, nurturing pupils into becoming confident readers through effective phonics teaching and promoting positive attitudes towards learning through a carefully crafted curriculum.
The school’s new headteacher, Ruth Baptiste, has been in post since September 2021 and is delighted with this news on her one-year anniversary.
“I am absolutely over the moon. This Ofsted grading is a real boost for everyone who works here, our children, their families and for the whole community.
“Austin Farm Academy is a small school with a big heart. We’re a hidden gem in the centre of the city and this grading means so much to everyone.”
The recent Ofsted report showered praise on the school, noting that the nurturing and cohesive environment placed pupils at the centre of its focus, encouraging them to be “proud, resilient, and respectful” in all aspects of school life.
With a firm commitment to improvement, the leadership at the school was commended for fostering a community where pupils feel safe and demonstrate high levels of respect for staff and one another, all while enjoying a broad range of opportunities that nurture individuality, confidence, and resilience.
Parents too have felt the positive ripples of the changes implemented, with one parent enthusing, “My child thrives at this school. Staff know my child. We know what he is learning and how to support him.” The clear and continuous communication has fostered a supportive network between the school and home, ensuring the best for every child.
While enjoying the glow of the recent success, the school acknowledges the work ahead. Areas for further development include honing assessment strategies to accurately pinpoint individual pupil’s comprehension and knowledge base, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and enriching some subjects within the wider curriculum to a more advanced developmental stage.
Rob Haring, CEO of Westcountry Schools Trust said: “I want to congratulate the headteacher, the vibrant team of dedicated staff, and the wonderful pupils on this remarkable achievement.
“This report stands as a true testament to what can be achieved through professional collaboration, perseverance, expertise, and a determination to succeed. I am confident Austin Farm Academy will now soar from this success to further success.”
The report recognised that Trust leaders and staff at Austin Farm Academy have been relentless in their pursuit of excellence, ushering in rapid improvements in a short period of time.
The school's dedication to creating a positive learning environment, underpinned by a culture of high expectations and ambition for every pupil, shines clearly in this report.
