Ofsted praises Orchards Church of England Academy for significant progress in education quality and student engagement
Wisbech: A local school has improved from needing help to a ‘Good’ rating in just two years. The Orchards Church of England Academy was inspected by Ofsted last November.
The report, released today, highlights the school’s welcoming atmosphere. It notes that students enjoy coming to school and build positive relationships with staff and peers.
Ofsted found that pupils are polite and well-mannered. They benefit from recent curriculum changes, which have raised expectations for all students.
While students learn well in many subjects, the report mentions that this progress isn’t fully shown in test results yet. The school participated in last year’s Rose Fair parade, showcasing its community involvement.
In July 2022, the school was rated as needing improvement overall. However, it was good in leadership and behavior. The recent inspection found it now meets the ‘Good’ standard in all areas, including education quality.
Inspectors praised school leaders for effectively improving the curriculum. With support from the Diocesse of Ely Multi-academy Trust, the school clearly outlines what students need to learn and when.
Students have access to a well-rounded curriculum, and improvements are spreading across different subjects. The report notes that past test results don’t reflect the quality of education students currently receive.
The school serves many students with special needs and those learning English as a second language. It has developed effective ways to support these students, helping them progress through the curriculum.
While extra support is provided quickly, there’s room for improvement in early reading and writing skills. Some students need more chances to practice independently.
Attendance is still a concern, but the school closely monitors it. They work with families to improve attendance, and more students are arriving on time as a result.
During the inspection, the school was calm and orderly. The report noted that routines are well established from the early years.
In summary, the school aims to give students more opportunities to practice reading and writing skills. This will help them become more fluent and independent before tackling more complex learning.
