Fantastic Ofsted judgement for Weston Point
We are delighted to share that Weston Point Primary Academy has received a hugely positive judgement from Ofsted following its visit last month.
The Department for Education defines Weston Point’s Ofsted grading as “excellent” with the school delivering “consistent work that’s making a real difference for children.”
Since academising into the Wade Deacon Trust in 2024 and welcoming fresh leadership in the form of Helen Thompson, and now Jake Everson, Weston Point has been on a journey of exciting transformation that has evidently made a tangible difference in the experiences and outcomes of its pupils.
The school has made enormous improvements to secure this fantastic judgement, after it was graded as Inadequate in November 2022, prior to its academisation.
The report card, which is divided into six categories, shows Weston Point delivering a strong standard of inclusion, and personal development and wellbeing for its pupils.
In its report, Ofsted remarked that “leaders are aspirational for all pupils”, with leadership “meticulous in their approach to identifying and closing any gaps in pupils’ knowledge.”
In Ofsted’s new economy, expected standard translates as ‘a high standard’ under the new framework which has deliberately been designed to raise the bar in education across the country.
The school has been judged as meeting this high standard on achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching and leadership and governance.
Ofsted praised the school’s approach to developing pupils as confident, well-rounded individuals, stating that “pupils develop confidence and resilience and are able to reflect on the positive role they can play in society.”
Reading and communication were identified as key strengths, with inspectors commenting that “pupils learn the important knowledge and skills they need to read, write and communicate well. Each stage of their learning sets them up to fully access the next.”
As part of the school’s transformation, Helen Thompson and Jake Everson have dedicated much of their efforts into shaping a positive culture in which the entire school community both belongs and buys into a model of Striving for Excellence.
This strong sense of community at Weston Point was quickly identified by inspectors who noted pupils “have a keen sense of belonging and pride in being part of the school community.”
Parents of pupils at Weston Point clearly shared the sentiment expressed by Inspectors, with 100% of parents surveyed by Ofsted recommending the school.
Helen Thompson and Jake Everson jointly commented:
“We are incredibly proud that Weston Point Primary Academy has received this fantastic judgement from Ofsted.
“Above all, this is a reflection of the exceptional commitment of our staff team. School improvement does not happen through leadership alone. It happens in classrooms, through the relationships staff build with children, through the care and support they provide, and through their determination to ensure every pupil receives the very best education possible.
“Our teachers, teaching assistants, office staff and wider school team have embraced the journey of improvement wholeheartedly. They have worked tirelessly, supported one another and consistently gone above and beyond for our children. We could not be prouder of them, and this judgement is every bit as much their achievement as it is the school's.
"We are also incredibly grateful for the support of our governors, parents and the wider school community, and of course, our wonderful pupils, who are at the heart of everything we do.
“When we first took on the leadership at Weston Point, the school’s reputation was deeply bruised following a damaging Ofsted judgement.
“The judgement we have now received clearly shows just how far our school has come in such a short space of time. We are both incredibly proud to have played our part in leading this journey of transformation, but even prouder of the collective effort that has made it possible and the positive impact it has had on the children we have had the pleasure to teach throughout these past years.”
Gary Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, and Juliet Brown, Director of Primary Education, both at Wade Deacon Trust, jointly commented:
“Everyone at the Wade Deacon Trust is delighted that Weston Point Primary Academy has received the recognition it fully deserves in this Ofsted judgement.
“Having worked closely with the school since its academisation, this result is a testament to the dedication and commitment of colleagues who have worked day in, day out, to deliver every opportunity for pupils at the school to enjoy fantastic experiences and secure the best possible outcomes.
“In particular, we would like to pay tribute to Helen Thompson and Jake Everson for their leadership, as well as our dedicated governors, in steering this school through an incredibly challenging period, to this wonderful result.”
Click here to read Weston Point Primary Academy's Ofsted judgement
