Dear Parents and Carers,
I am delighted to share with you the full report from our recent visit by Challenge Partners, which has provided us with invaluable insights into our academy’s performance and achievements. During their review the team engaged extensively, observing lessons across a variety of subjects and spending valuable time with our pupils and staff. Their visit included close monitoring of our academy environment during break times and lunch periods, allowing them to witness first-hand the vibrant and inclusive culture we have created here.
I am pleased to announce that the academy received a judgement of LEADING in both the areas of Leadership and Quality of Provision. This marks a significant milestone in our journey, as it is the first time we have achieved such a commendable report, highlighting the remarkable strengths we possess as a community. The dedication and hard work of our teaching and administrative staff have clearly shone through, and I am incredibly proud of the effort that everyone has put in. Furthermore, our academy was accredited for an area of excellence in Behaviour and Attitudes, which solidifies the exceptional culture of learning we have fostered, emphasising respect and cooperation among all members of our academy community.
With this letter, I have attached the full report for your perusal. I encourage you to take some time to read through it, as it reflects not only the operational effectiveness of our academy but also the positive experiences of our students.
Challenge Partners Report – November 2024
Here are some highlights from the report:
- The dynamic leadership is driven by the shared vision of the principal and his senior team. The leadership team collaborates successfully and demonstrates a powerful impact in the areas they are leading.
- Teaching across the academy is of a high standard.
- Teachers exhibit strong subject knowledge. Teaching and learning across the academy are efficacious as a result of the professional learning sessions and the CPD which have been well embedded to support teachers’ knowledge and understanding.
- A very strong sense of purpose permeates the academy, which is fortified by the determination that all students do as well as they can and is evident in the progress that students make, often in challenging circumstances.
- The leadership team articulates a clear vision that Strood Academy gives all disadvantaged students and those with additional needs opportunities to allow them to break free from the cycle of low expectation. This encourages all staff, parents and students to work closely together to ensure that these students are consistently provided with high quality learning opportunities.
- Behaviour for learning is a real strength in lessons and teachers have high expectations of their students who rise to this challenge, resulting in greater progress for all. The systems for managing behaviour are exemplary and the academy’s communication in this area is first rate.
- There is a clear process of identifying students with SEND and strategies for supporting those students during their lessons. The highly successful SEN provision, including wellbeing tutors and mental health services, supports vulnerable learners well. This provision equips students with the skills needed to achieve the most out of life and to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
- All staff are ambitious for those students who access the provision of the Endeavour Centre.
- Teachers are very aware of the importance of their role in addressing learning gaps for vulnerable students. They are supported by enthusiastic leaders who ensure that they have the resources to identify students’ specific learning barriers and identify key objectives to address these. Teachers receive regular monitoring from the SEN team which provides immediate feedback.
- Leaders maintain a very positive relationship with parents by developing their understanding of the support their children receive at the academy. This is shown by the academy’s clear message that it is opposed to all forms of overt and covert prejudice, harassment, discrimination and actively seeks to educate everyone at Strood to recognise that every person is equal and should be treated with respect.
- There are strong partnerships with parents, which promote consistency in meeting students’ needs. Parents receive detailed information about activities and learning, there is a parent voice forum and the academy provides a rich vein of material to parents on several areas.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and involvement in our academy. It is this partnership that has allowed us to progress at an exceptional rate since April 2023. We are thrilled to celebrate these milestones together, alongside our very best Year 11 outcomes this past summer, which would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment from our entire community.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to building on these successes and striving for even greater achievements for our pupils. Together, let us continue to inspire and nurture each child’s potential, ensuring they are well-prepared for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Sending my best wishes,
Mr Jon Richardson | Principal
