Message from the Acting Principal
There has been a definite theme for the Academy in this early part of
the calendar year; 'Good' might be our 'word of the term'! I have said
my thanks for that OFSTED judgement to all concerned and made clear
that 'Good' isn't good enough. On that, there is little left to be
said and some work to be done.
In my assemblies in the week before half term, I spoke to students and
staff about 'Being good' and 'Doing good'. I know that, together, we
are worth more than the sum of our individual parts. So our charity
day on Friday 14th February was an opportunity to show this
togetherness in action. It truly was a fabulous day. Our efforts were
focused on two charitable endeavours that day. Cans of soup galore
were brought in by students caring for the homeless and monies were
raised through the efforts of the World Challenge team to help support
their expedition to Morocco next year. I see our students 'being good'
and 'doing good' every day. When we all do that together, with the
focused efforts we saw on that day, we are better than good: we are
outstanding!
Jeff Ellis
Acting Principal
There has been a definite theme for the Academy in this early part of
the calendar year; 'Good' might be our 'word of the term'! I have said
my thanks for that OFSTED judgement to all concerned and made clear
that 'Good' isn't good enough. On that, there is little left to be
said and some work to be done.
In my assemblies in the week before half term, I spoke to students and
staff about 'Being good' and 'Doing good'. I know that, together, we
are worth more than the sum of our individual parts. So our charity
day on Friday 14th February was an opportunity to show this
togetherness in action. It truly was a fabulous day. Our efforts were
focused on two charitable endeavours that day. Cans of soup galore
were brought in by students caring for the homeless and monies were
raised through the efforts of the World Challenge team to help support
their expedition to Morocco next year. I see our students 'being good'
and 'doing good' every day. When we all do that together, with the
focused efforts we saw on that day, we are better than good: we are
outstanding!
Jeff Ellis
Acting Principal
Inspection of Essa Academy by Ofsted
Please click on attachment below to download the Essa Academy OFSTED report.
Please click on attachment below to download the Essa Academy OFSTED report.
| essa_ofsted.pdf |
It is hard to imagine that three weeks have passed since we received a visit by OFSTED inspectors, but we are now able to publish their final findings and report. In summary I can tell you that they say that Essa Academy is a ‘Good’ school. Please take time to read the report. There are some things that I would like to say about the inspection: the team was led by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) and not all inspections are fortunate enough to have such high level focus. In my view, their inspection was extremely thorough and their judgements were fair.
Here are just some of the things inspectors say in their report:
- “Students achieve well”
- “the quality of teaching is good”
- “students form a calm and orderly community”
- “The large majority of lessons observed were good and some were outstanding”
“Inspectors saw consistently positive attitudes and good behaviour in lessons”
“Students behave well outside lessons"
The proportion of schools judged as ‘Good’ or better has declined dramatically since last September. In this respect we can be pleased. However, as I said to HMI, even ‘Good’ isn’t good enough. Our children can be rightly proud that they attend a good school, but I want them to be able to say that they attend an outstanding school. I am sure that we all share that ambition. This we will achieve together. It is this work ‘together’ that has helped us to achieve what we have, to date. So I would like to take a moment to say some thanks:
thank you first of all to our students. OFSTED isn’t about putting on a performance. Inspectors talked enthusiastically of the strong, positive and productive relationships in the Academy. These provide the backdrop for an outstanding learning environment. It is not something that can be switched on for two days. It exists because our students are exceptional every day.
thanks next must go to our parents. Since the opening of the Academy in 2009, I have found parents to be nothing short of remarkably supportive. This provides the backdrop for an outstandingly focused and determined ethos. Our students come ready for their business of learning each day because our parents prepare them properly for it.
our sponsors and governors have offered us support and challenge in equal measure. We need this and really appreciate their time, expertise, drive and ambition. Although they are extremely modest, what they have created here should be properly appreciated and recognised.
final thanks go to staff at the Academy. ALL staff. This, I believe, is critical. Relationships between students and staff at the Academy are a real strength. Some people might think us strange that we talk about “learning” with our cleaners and catering staff. Indeed, those staff might think that from time to time. But every adult here at the Academy is certain of our mission “All Will Succeed” and understands their part in making this happen. Their determination to realise this ambition is second to none; I believe we have a workforce second to none.
And to all, therefore, may I add my congratulations.
When inspectors talk about our ‘self evaluation’, they say that we know ourselves well. For me, this is really important. You can have confidence that we know our strengths and we know the areas in which we need to improve. We have a proven track record of securing these improvements quickly and, you know, we will continue to work tirelessly to this end. We have, after all, the most important job in the world - one that cannot be underestimated: the futures of our children.
Jeff Ellis
Acting Principal
Essa Academy
Here are just some of the things inspectors say in their report:
- “Students achieve well”
- “the quality of teaching is good”
- “students form a calm and orderly community”
- “The large majority of lessons observed were good and some were outstanding”
“Inspectors saw consistently positive attitudes and good behaviour in lessons”
“Students behave well outside lessons"
The proportion of schools judged as ‘Good’ or better has declined dramatically since last September. In this respect we can be pleased. However, as I said to HMI, even ‘Good’ isn’t good enough. Our children can be rightly proud that they attend a good school, but I want them to be able to say that they attend an outstanding school. I am sure that we all share that ambition. This we will achieve together. It is this work ‘together’ that has helped us to achieve what we have, to date. So I would like to take a moment to say some thanks:
thank you first of all to our students. OFSTED isn’t about putting on a performance. Inspectors talked enthusiastically of the strong, positive and productive relationships in the Academy. These provide the backdrop for an outstanding learning environment. It is not something that can be switched on for two days. It exists because our students are exceptional every day.
thanks next must go to our parents. Since the opening of the Academy in 2009, I have found parents to be nothing short of remarkably supportive. This provides the backdrop for an outstandingly focused and determined ethos. Our students come ready for their business of learning each day because our parents prepare them properly for it.
our sponsors and governors have offered us support and challenge in equal measure. We need this and really appreciate their time, expertise, drive and ambition. Although they are extremely modest, what they have created here should be properly appreciated and recognised.
final thanks go to staff at the Academy. ALL staff. This, I believe, is critical. Relationships between students and staff at the Academy are a real strength. Some people might think us strange that we talk about “learning” with our cleaners and catering staff. Indeed, those staff might think that from time to time. But every adult here at the Academy is certain of our mission “All Will Succeed” and understands their part in making this happen. Their determination to realise this ambition is second to none; I believe we have a workforce second to none.
And to all, therefore, may I add my congratulations.
When inspectors talk about our ‘self evaluation’, they say that we know ourselves well. For me, this is really important. You can have confidence that we know our strengths and we know the areas in which we need to improve. We have a proven track record of securing these improvements quickly and, you know, we will continue to work tirelessly to this end. We have, after all, the most important job in the world - one that cannot be underestimated: the futures of our children.
Jeff Ellis
Acting Principal
Essa Academy
'2013 GCSE Results'
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our students!
55% of students achieved 5 A*-C
including English & Maths.
98% of students achieved 5 A*-C.
EBacc - 23%
| 2013-08-01-summer-2013-why-gcses-may-look-different-this-year.pdf |
| 2013-07-30-summer-2013-information-for-mps.pdf |
