Cromer Academy celebrates as it continues to be an Ofsted ‘Good’ school with broad opportunities and high ambitions for its pupils

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July 18th 2023

Cromer Academy is celebrating today as they have been named as an Ofsted ‘Good’ school following an ungraded inspection that was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. 

With a culture rooted in the heritage of the town it serves, Ofsted recognises that Cromer Academy “is a focal point where the achievements of the community converge and are celebrated”, where “pupils who attend the school take great pride in their community” and “want to make a positive contribution to their school and wider society”. 

Following an already successful year, where the academy achieved its best ever GCSE results with 62% 9-5 grades in English and Maths and a Progress 8 score of 0.24, Cromer Academy is going from strength-to-strength with Ofsted stating that “pupil produce high-quality work and become efficient problem solvers.”

Ofsted goes on to praise the leadership of Cromer Academy and its curriculum structure, saying:

“Leaders have designed a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils. They have identified the important knowledge that pupils need for future success. Leaders have skillfully woven in elements of local knowledge. This helps pupils put learning into context.”

Cromer Academy is delighted that Ofsted recognised how happy the pupils of Cromer Academy are, with Ofsted noting that “pupils enjoy learning, are proud of their school and are happy” with parents echoing these feelings.

Parent, Cromer Academy said [to Ofsted]:

“We feel exceptionally lucky that our child attends this school. Leaders care, staff care, and the results are very happy children who want to learn.”

Supporting pupils to achieve and reach their full potential is at the heart of Cromer Academy’s mission, exemplified by the Principal, Darren Hollingsworth. Mr Hollingsworth was praised for his leadership skills and the continued success that pupils from Cromer Academy are able to achieve. 

Darren Hollingsworth, Principal of Cromer Academy said:

“We are extremely proud that the report acknowledges the strength of our school culture, curriculum and our sense of pride in the Cromer community. 

 

We very explicitly teach our school values and the inspection team could not fail to notice that our values are not simply ‘words on a wall’ but rather a way of life at Cromer. 

 

Staff, pupils and families all share this report as we all work together to create this very special Cromer experience. I am both humbled and proud to serve as Principal.”

Cromer Academy was also praised for its extensive provision and the wide range of opportunities it is able to afford its pupils.

Ofsted states:

“Pupils enjoy an offer of a broad range of wider opportunities. They learn British Sign Language, learn to cook, write for a newspaper or present a radio show. Many pupils, including pupils with SEND enthusiastically take up this offer.”

Cromer Academy has also been commended for its approach to SEND provision and the way in which its approach not only integrates pupils with SEND into the wider school community, but in the way in which it ensures pupils with SEND are able to access the same curriculum as their peers.

Ofsted says:

“Clear and precise explanations, carefully structured examples and accurate assessment result in pupils with SEND learning successfully alongside their peers. They progress through the curriculum, consistently producing work that is as high in quality as that of their peers.”


Gareth Stevens, CEO of Inspiration Trust said:

“All of us across the Inspiration Trust and working within Cromer Academy are exceptionally proud of this Ofsted result - the school’s second consecutive ‘Good’ rating. As highlighted by Ofsted, this is testament to the school’s strong leadership and its remarkable culture of which everyone is committed. 


As always, each and every child’s achievement and happiness is at the forefront of what we do and we are delighted that this has been recognised by both Ofsted and parents alike.”