The staff and students of Long Field Academy in Melton Mowbray are celebrating after being marked ‘good’ across all categories at Ofsted inspection.
Long Field was previously assessed in February 2016 as ‘Requires Improvement’ with elements of ‘good’ in the quality of teaching and leadership. Prior to that, the school had been assessed as ‘Inadequate,’ although again with some strengths in the quality of teaching and learning and leadership.
Long Field’s journey to ‘good’ is the result of an intense three-year turn-around programme led by Principal Chris Haggett, and with exceptional support from the local community.
Chris Haggett joined Long Field in June 2015, at which time the school also became a member of the Spencer Academies Trust.
In 2016 Ofsted noted that under ‘effective leadership’ from Chris Haggett, “the school has improved quickly within a short space of time.” In the 2016-17 academic year, results improved impressively within the school, with Long Field amongst the top ten highest performing secondary schools in Leicestershire.
The determination of ‘good’ across all judgement categories shows that quality has been consolidated, and the Long Field now operating at a consistently high level.
Inspectors noted: “Long Field Academy has continued to improve since the last inspection. Pupils progress and attainment are now good” and, “the Principal provides strong and high-quality leadership.”
The curriculum and quality of teaching were both praised, and inspectors had warm words for the relationship between the school and surrounding community, with parent feedback playing an unusually significant role in the determination.
Inspectors reported that: “parents value the school’s work” and “they are particularly approving of the principal’s leadership.”
They were also impressed by the school’s successful relationship with The Spencer Academies Trust, seeing the broader support delivered by Spencer as underpinning Long Field’s journey of improvement.
Chris Haggett commented: “We are delighted by a strong Ofsted report, which recognises the time and commitment that staff, governors, parents and students have given to Long Field. We’ve worked together over three years, and our ‘good’ Ofsted is recognition is of a real joint effort.
“More than anything, I was pleased to see Long Field recognised as a ‘happy’ school. Inspectors understood what we have tried to do here, and that it was about more than turning the school around. Instead, we’ve concentrated on putting in place the basis of a really successful future for Long Field at the heart of Melton life.”
The inspection result solidified a 100% record of sustained improvement between Ofsted reports for schools within the Spencer Academies Trust.
Spencer Academies Trust Chief Executive Paul West said: “We’re so pleased for Chris and his staff. Long Field is an example of what an inspirational leader can do. Chris has raised the bar for everybody in the school and students, parents and staff have risen to that challenge. Together, they’ve built a school to be proud of. We are delighted to see The Spencer Academies Trust’s part in that journey recognised.”