Castle Manor Ofsted welcomed as confirmation of progress
Monday, 8th July 2013.
Students and staff from Castle Manor Academy have welcomed the publication of their latest Ofsted Report, which rated the academy as 'good'.
The inspection, carried out on June 19 and 20, was the second inspection that leaders from Castle Partnership Academy Trust have successfully completed this year.
Partnership principal Madeleine Vigar is happy to share the results of the inspection and reflect on the journey the partnership has been through.
She said: “We welcome this report, which reflects the hard work, effort and pride that staff and students put into life at Castle Manor Academy.
"Its findings have come as no surprise under the new Ofsted framework, which is simply about student attainment. In fact, our public examination results are higher this year than they were when Castle Manor was judged ‘outstanding’ in 2010!
"It is disappointing that we are no longer judged as ‘outstanding’, but we shouldn’t underestimate this achievement.
"This has been a time of tremendous change for Castle Manor, which has seen it double in size, taking on younger year groups, support local students through the Suffolk Schools Organisation Review and continue to provide an environment of which students and staff feel proud.
"Given all these changes and the narrower focus of Ofsted’s new approach, we believe this report is a clear confirmation of the progress we have made.”
Castle Manor became an academy in June 2012, alongside Place Farm Primary Academy, in a move that cemented the partnership’s vision for all-through education.
John Baillie, chairman of the board of directors and a previous parent governor, has been present throughout this time and champions the partnership approach.
He said: “This has been a turbulent time for the young people of Haverhill and the surrounding area.
"The governing body took a view early on that we should do what is in the best interest of the town and its young people and so we worked hard to support local schools, who were struggling, and those faced with closure during the Schools Organisational Review.”
Mr Baillie was also present for the recent Ofsted inspection at Place Farm and said: “We’re continuing to work hard on an all-through education strategy, which involves working not only with Place Farm, but with all the local family of Schools.
"This strategy is already starting to pay dividends at Castle Manor Academy and Place Farm Primary Academy and we’ll continue to see the effect in the years to come.”
This strategy of working in partnership was a major recommendation of a recent report commissioned by Suffolk County Council and confirms the effectiveness of the approach the Castle Partnership has taken.
Acting head of school Vanessa Whitcombe is responsible for the day-to-day management of Castle Manor Academy and is proud of the academy she leads today.
She said: “Castle Manor Academy is full of exceptional students who, together with our staff, work extremely hard to make Castle Manor the vibrant learning community that it is.
"We are committed to ensuring that all of our students are successful, confident members of society. This year results are set to be the best yet and I’m looking forward to sharing this success with students and the rest of our academy.”
Ms Vigar is keen to show off the continuing success of Castle Manor and invites anyone to come and visit.
She said: “The report speaks highly of our work, of the students’ pride and their good attitude to learning; you only need to walk around our academy to see excellent learning every single day.
"I’d like to invite people to come along, see us in action and truly understand what makes for an excellent education.”
Anyone wishing to arrange a visit can do so by contacting Jason André on JAndre@castlepartnership.org.uk or calling on 07899 806 693.
The inspection, carried out on June 19 and 20, was the second inspection that leaders from Castle Partnership Academy Trust have successfully completed this year.
Partnership principal Madeleine Vigar is happy to share the results of the inspection and reflect on the journey the partnership has been through.
She said: “We welcome this report, which reflects the hard work, effort and pride that staff and students put into life at Castle Manor Academy.
"Its findings have come as no surprise under the new Ofsted framework, which is simply about student attainment. In fact, our public examination results are higher this year than they were when Castle Manor was judged ‘outstanding’ in 2010!
"It is disappointing that we are no longer judged as ‘outstanding’, but we shouldn’t underestimate this achievement.
"This has been a time of tremendous change for Castle Manor, which has seen it double in size, taking on younger year groups, support local students through the Suffolk Schools Organisation Review and continue to provide an environment of which students and staff feel proud.
"Given all these changes and the narrower focus of Ofsted’s new approach, we believe this report is a clear confirmation of the progress we have made.”
Castle Manor became an academy in June 2012, alongside Place Farm Primary Academy, in a move that cemented the partnership’s vision for all-through education.
John Baillie, chairman of the board of directors and a previous parent governor, has been present throughout this time and champions the partnership approach.
He said: “This has been a turbulent time for the young people of Haverhill and the surrounding area.
"The governing body took a view early on that we should do what is in the best interest of the town and its young people and so we worked hard to support local schools, who were struggling, and those faced with closure during the Schools Organisational Review.”
Mr Baillie was also present for the recent Ofsted inspection at Place Farm and said: “We’re continuing to work hard on an all-through education strategy, which involves working not only with Place Farm, but with all the local family of Schools.
"This strategy is already starting to pay dividends at Castle Manor Academy and Place Farm Primary Academy and we’ll continue to see the effect in the years to come.”
This strategy of working in partnership was a major recommendation of a recent report commissioned by Suffolk County Council and confirms the effectiveness of the approach the Castle Partnership has taken.
Acting head of school Vanessa Whitcombe is responsible for the day-to-day management of Castle Manor Academy and is proud of the academy she leads today.
She said: “Castle Manor Academy is full of exceptional students who, together with our staff, work extremely hard to make Castle Manor the vibrant learning community that it is.
"We are committed to ensuring that all of our students are successful, confident members of society. This year results are set to be the best yet and I’m looking forward to sharing this success with students and the rest of our academy.”
Ms Vigar is keen to show off the continuing success of Castle Manor and invites anyone to come and visit.
She said: “The report speaks highly of our work, of the students’ pride and their good attitude to learning; you only need to walk around our academy to see excellent learning every single day.
"I’d like to invite people to come along, see us in action and truly understand what makes for an excellent education.”
Anyone wishing to arrange a visit can do so by contacting Jason André on JAndre@castlepartnership.org.uk or calling on 07899 806 693.
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