Academy in Ripon celebrates top Ofsted after league table success

Outwood Academy Ripon has been given the top outstanding rating in each of the key inspection areas.

The Ofsted report says pupils make huge progress and that the school’s GCSE results were significantly above the national average.

It also notes that pupils’ progress in maths was in the top one per cent of schools nationally.

The positive report follows league table success for the school last month.

A table compiled by the trade newspaper Schools Week ranked Outwood Academy Ripon in the top ten nationally for the performance of pupils from deprived backgrounds among non-selective state schools.

The table only ranked schools where at least 20 per cent of pupils were on free school meals (FSM). Figures show 79 per cent of Outwood Academy Ripon’s school pupils on FSM achieved at least five A* to C grades, including English and maths. Outwood Academy Ripon is part of Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT), which has been given Government backing to take on more schools in the North having been identified as a strong performing sponsor. Commenting on the Ofsted report OGAT’s chief executive Sir Michael Wilkins said: “I am always truly astounded by the hard work and commitment of students, staff and governors”. He said the Ofsted grading was “thoroughly deserved and reflective of the amazing achievement of this school”.

Sir Michael also praised the “outstanding” leadership of Rob Tarn, regional chief executive, Angela Sweeten, former principal and Steve Merifield, the current principal at the academy.

Annette Beckwith, the chairwoman of Outwood Academy Council said: “This is an unquestionable endorsement of the quality of education provided at Outwood Academy Ripon, one which the community of Ripon and surrounding area can be proud.”