Ofsted report praises leaders at Lakelands Academy in Ellesmere

The Lakelands has been rated as good following a visit in February.

Since the last inspection, when it was also rated good, the school has become an academy and is the founder member of the Lakelands Educational Trust.

In the latest report inspectors have praised the academy for its leadership and its safeguarding of the pupils.

The report said: "The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the academy since the last inspection.

"Senior leaders and governors have a strong sense of commitment and are striving to further improve the quality of education available to pupils at the academy.

"Safeguarding arrangements and procedures operate properly and promptly.

"Staff have been appropriately trained in child protection and safeguarding issues.

"Leaders, staff and governors are well versed in their responsibility to ensure the welfare and safety of pupils.

"Teachers use information well about how pupils are doing and plan lessons which engage and interest pupils.

"Governors are highly supportive of the academy and have a good understanding of the quality and impact of teaching and learning," the report added.

But the inspectors said there were a number of ways in which the academy could improve further.

"The behaviour monitoring system is not always used consistently by staff, so information is not comprehensive," the report said.

"The majority of staff are applying the marking and feedback policy consistently. However, leaders do not always take into account teacher problems connected with teachers' engagement with the marking and feedback policy which has slowed its development."

The report adds that converting to an academy several years ago did cause some "uncertainty" for some staff and parents.

"Staff and parents care about the academy and share your ambition for continued development and success.

"However, academy conversion and the justified and appropriate staffing restructuring created anxiety and uncertainty for some staff and parents.

"A number of staff said that they would like to understand more the way their views and ideas are used to contribute to the development of the academy," the report said.

Headteacher Ian Sanders said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the inspection report and the number of fantastic comments that have been made.

"We have had a great year and had some of our best ever results.

"It has been a tremendous team effort from staff and pupils."