Dear Parents, Carers and Members of our Community,
We are delighted to share with you our recently published Ofsted inspection report following the inspection of Landau Forte Academy Amington in June.
This is a report of which our entire academy community can be incredibly proud. Ofsted judged five areas of the academy to be meeting the expected standard – Attendance and Behaviour, Curriculum and Teaching, Inclusion, Leadership and Governance, and Personal Development and Wellbeing – while also confirming that our safeguarding standards are met.
However, what makes us proudest is not simply the judgements themselves, but what the report says about the everyday experience of our wonderful students.
Inspectors described Amington as a “caring and inclusive school” where:
“Pupils enjoy learning.”
They found that our students “quickly develop a sense of belonging to the school community” because they know that staff “listen to them and act in their best interests.” They also recognised that pupils feel safe, know that there are many supportive adults they can turn to, and understand how our values of being Ambitious, Brave and Kind help them to learn and behave well.
These words mean a great deal to us.
The report describes the academy as “calm and orderly”, with positive and respectful relationships between students and staff. Inspectors found that bullying is not an issue and, when concerns do arise, staff deal with them effectively. They also recognised the many opportunities our students have to develop their talents, contribute to their community and take on leadership roles.
We were equally pleased that inspectors recognised the strength of our wider academy community. They found that staff are proud to work at Amington, have confidence in its leadership and direction, and feel well supported. They described the academy as “well led and managed”, with leaders guided by a “strong moral purpose” and committed to providing the best possible education for our students.
We are particularly proud that Ofsted recognised our inclusive approach. The report notes that disadvantaged students attend well, develop a sense of belonging and receive targeted academic support, while students with SEND are supported to access the curriculum. Inspectors also recognised the effectiveness of our pastoral support and the strength of our careers provision in preparing young people for their next steps.
We are, of course, equally determined to be open about where we must continue to improve.
Achievement was judged as “Needs attention”. At the time of the inspection, inspectors recognised that outcomes had improved but wanted to see this improvement sustained over time and reflected in a secure upward trend. They also recognised that teaching had improved and that leaders were already taking appropriate action to improve outcomes.
We were therefore especially proud, following the inspection, to celebrate another improvement in our examination results this summer – securing a three-year upward trend in achievement. This is an important milestone for our academy and reflects the tremendous effort of our students, staff and families.
Nevertheless, we will not be complacent because we share the same ambition as our families: we want every student to achieve the very best of which they are capable. We are proud of the progress our students make from their individual starting points, but we know there is more to do. Improving the consistency of teaching, strengthening literacy across the curriculum and ensuring that every student produces work of the highest possible quality will remain central priorities in the year ahead.
Our ambition has never been simply to satisfy an inspection framework. It is to build an exceptional academy that our children, families and community are proud to call their own.
There is so much in this report that tells us we are on the right path: students who feel safe and listened to; a calm and respectful academy; an ambitious curriculum; improving attendance; strong pastoral care; an inclusive culture; committed staff; and young people who genuinely feel that they belong.
Those are foundations on which we can continue to build something very special.
Thank you, as always, to our students for representing their academy so brilliantly, to our dedicated staff for everything they do, and to you – our parents, carers and wider community – for your continued support, challenge and belief in Amington.
We are immensely proud of how far our academy has come, excited about where we are going next, and look forward to working with you all in a new and exciting academic year.
Very best wishes,
Mr A Deen, Executive Principal
Mrs M Corrigan, Head of Academy
Read the full inspection report here: