Guilsborough Academy, part of Guilsborough Multi Academy Trust, recently welcomed an Ofsted monitoring inspection in October 2024. The academy is delighted that the report acknowledges the significant progress made since the last inspection, reflecting the dedication of its staff, senior leadership team (SLT) and trustees in driving continuous improvement.

The report highlights the SLT’s commitment to ensuring all staff understand and support the academy’s improvement journey. It commends the academy prioritising embedding ‘The Guilsborough Way’, a framework that has been instrumental in fostering a calmer school environment and improving behaviour, an observation echoed by students, parents and carers.

A key focus of the academy’s improvement efforts has been enhancing the quality of education, particularly for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Significant steps have been taken to develop provision maps and provide professional development for staff, ensuring these tools are used effectively to meet students’ needs. The report notes that while progress has been made, further refinements are recognised and ongoing.

Simon Frazer, Principal of Guilsborough Academy, said,

We are extremely proud of the progress highlighted in the Ofsted report, which is a testament to the dedication of our staff and the support of our trustees. Guilsborough Academy is on a journey of rapid improvement, and our students are the driving force behind that improvement. Whilst we fully acknowledge there is still work to do, we are all fully committed to continuing this upward trajectory of improvement and providing a high-quality education for all our students.

The report also praises the academy’s focus on personal development, which has been strengthened through a restructured curriculum that now fully supports students’ holistic growth. The introduction of a new life skills curriculum and increased engagement with parents and carers, including a dedicated SEND forum, underscores the academy’s commitment to building a positive school culture and nurturing strong partnerships with families.

Trustees have been recognised for their robust understanding of the school’s strengths and challenges, working collaboratively with leadership to implement impactful changes.

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Kevin Rogers, states, 

Our journey is ongoing, but we are encouraged by the progress we’ve made and remain dedicated to ensuring every child at Guilsborough Academy thrives academically and personally.

The academy acknowledges that consistent application of behaviour policies and continued embedding of teaching and learning strategies are areas for further focus. However, the report applauds the staff’s efforts in making improvements manageable, ensuring that progress is achieved without overwhelming workload pressures.

This positive Ofsted feedback reinforces Guilsborough Academy’s commitment to excellence and its focus on building a supportive and aspirational environment for its students and staff.

Please refer to the report here.