Newark Academy, part of Nova Education Trust, is celebrating a significant achievement following its recent Ofsted inspection. In 2019, the Academy was rated ‘Good’ overall. A recent re-inspection, conducted to assess the academy’s continued ‘Good’ standing, revealed “significant improvement across all areas.” Had this been a full Section 5 inspection, the academy would have been judged ‘Outstanding’ in every category.

Ofsted’s report highlighted the “strong sense of community” at Newark Academy, where pupils and staff “genuinely care for one another.” The school’s ‘GREAT’ values – Gratitude, Responsibility, Excellence, Aspiration and Tenacity – are deeply embedded, fostering a culture of mutual respect and support. Pupils feel safe and develop trusting relationships with staff. They are happy, enjoy learning, and achieve highly.

The academy provides an orderly and purposeful environment where staff diligently ensure pupil safety and pupils demonstrate exemplary behaviour. Respect and consideration are hallmarks of the school’s atmosphere.

The school is particularly proud of the quality of teaching and this is acknowledged throughout the report. It states that “pupils learn very effectively because of teachers’ careful explanations, followed by opportunities to practise and apply their knowledge. Teachers also have excellent subject knowledge. They check pupils’ understanding effectively and expertly resolve any errors or misconceptions that may arise”.

The school has high ambitions for all pupils. Staff set consistently high expectations and pupils rise to these challenges, thriving in their learning.  SEND provision is very strong. The school identifies their needs accurately and communicates these effectively to teachers. Staff make well-planned adaptations to activities. This enables all pupils to access and succeed in the curriculum.

Pupils’ attendance is high. Staff are meticulous in their follow-up where patterns of concern are identified. They work closely with parents, carers and external agencies to ensure that pupils’ welfare is supported effectively. The school has well-established systems to support pupils’ mental health, ensuring their wellbeing.

Beyond the classroom, Newark Academy offers a diverse and enriching extracurricular programme with pupils enthusiastically participating in:

•Performing Arts: A vibrant drama club, school choir and instrumental ensembles, showcasing talent through regular performances.

•Sports: A comprehensive programme featuring football, rugby, netball, athletics and more, with teams competing at local and regional levels.

•The Hive: A dedicated reading programme for younger pupils, nurturing a love of literature and improving literacy skills.

Headteacher Inma Peňa said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this report. It reflects the hard work, dedication and collaborative spirit of our entire school community of students, staff and families. Our ‘GREAT’ values are central to our ethos and it’s wonderful to see this being acknowledged and celebrated. Our proudest moment over the two days was to witness students seeking out opportunities to speak positively to inspectors about their school and the high quality of pastoral care,  academic and enrichment opportunities they received.”

Ashfaq Rahman, chief executive of Nova Education Trust, added: “This significantly improved rating, surpassing our previous ‘Good’ outcome, is a clear indication of the Newark Academy’s commitment to excellence and its nurturing learning environment. Being custodians of a school in Newark, that has been recognised for delivering ‘Outstanding’ education, was always the longer-term goal. In 2016 when the trust took the school on, Newark Academy was one of the lowest-performing schools, not just in the area but also in the region. On most measures it is now recognised as being one the highest-performing schools and the school continues to be popular and hugely oversubscribed.

“I extend my sincere thanks to Inma Peňa, the exceptional staff and pupils, our dedicated governors and trustees, past and present, and our supportive parents and carers. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in this outstanding achievement. We are committed to ensuring every pupil at The Newark Academy receives a transformational education, preparing them for an ever-changing world.”