Gloucester Academy Recognised for Exceptional Progress as they Celebrate Ofsted Success

The inspection, which took place on 19th and 20th November 2024, praised Gloucester Academy’s ambitious vision, inclusive ethos, and the marked improvements in teaching, pupil outcomes, and overall culture.

The full report can be found here, with some of the key highlights below:

High expectations and academic ambition. Ofsted commended Gloucester Academy’s high expectations of both pupil behaviour and academic achievement. The curriculum is “consistently delivered” and designed to build knowledge effectively over time. Inspectors noted the rising number of pupils pursuing the full suite of English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects.

Outstanding personal development. Staff value regular professional development opportunities and as a result, are confident to explain new concepts. GA undertakes exemplary work in fostering pupils’ character and resilience, highlighted through the school’s extensive enrichment programme, alongside its proactive approach to mental health and wellbeing. 

Pupils with SEND are accurately identified. Information is used effectively, and this enables all pupils to learn the curriculum well. Pupils with English as an additional language are exceptionally well supported and those who require further help with phonics and reading comprehension receive it. 

Positive behaviour and attitudes. Inspectors praised the school’s high expectations for behaviour, noting that the majority of students meet these standards, allowing learning to take place without disruption. This improvement reflects the school’s commitment to fostering a positive and respectful learning environment.

Phillipa Lewis, Headteacher of Gloucester Academy, says: "We have been climbing a mountain, step by step, with ambition, excellence, and unwavering pride and I want to thank every member of our school community for being a part of this incredible journey. To our students, who continue to inspire us, to our staff, whose passion for teaching enables great outcomes; to our families, who have supported us on the journey; and to the Greenshaw Learning Trust for their ongoing guidance - this success is shared by all of you. While we celebrate this incredible achievement, we are looking ahead with excitement and ambition, knowing that even better is yet to come."

Izzy Ambrose, Director of Secondary Education at Greenshaw Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted with the recent Ofsted report for Gloucester Academy which highlights the significant improvement journey for the school since joining the Greenshaw Learning Trust in June 2020. The report is further testament to the school’s remarkable transformation and particularly highlights the outstanding personal development of young people, which is something staff, parents, and in particular, pupils, should feel rightly proud of.

Thank you to the staff, students, parents, governors, Greenshaw Learning Trust colleagues, and the wider Gloucester community. Our community has a local school that delivers a great quality of education, a school of which we can all be proud."

Read the full report here and for more information about Gloucester Academy, please visit the school’s website.