Top marks for new academy from Ofsted

L-R is Caiden Kissane 5, Declan Black 5, Natalya Martin 6 and Lily Hall 6 with Barry Day Chief Executive of Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust at Mansfield Primary Academy ribbon cutting ceremony (there was no ribbon).

The Mansfield Primary Academy, in Newgate Lane, was inspected by the Government inspectors on April 29th and 30th.

Inspectors found that the former Newgate Lane Primary had significantly improved since being relaunched as an academy two years ago, after a previous inspection deemed its standards to be inadequate.

It is now sponsored by the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust (GDFT), which has academies across the country.

Inspectors scrutinised records and documentation, observed lessons and met with pupils, staff and parents to get their views.

They looked at the achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils and the quality of leadership and management and scored the academy as ‘good’ across all four areas.

The school joined the GDFT in September 2012, was renamed the Mansfield Primary Academy, and has since made rapid progress, a trust spokesman said.

Inspectors found that “the academy, aided by the trust, has moved forward quickly, resulting in pupils making good progress” throughout the school.

Inspectors also highlighted that “the proportion of pupils who made better than expected progress by the end of Year 6 matched national averages in 2013”.

Principal Paul Brockless said: “Staff and pupils are rightfully proud of their achievements.

“We have ambitious plans for the academy and we are extremely pleased Ofsted recognises we are moving in the right direction.”

Barry Day, chief executive at the GDFT, added: “It is nearly two years since we took over the Mansfield Primary Academy and I am delighted with this very positive inspection report.”