By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 15:00, Thursday, 07 March 2013

West Lakes Academy has been judged to be good following an Ofsted inspection.

Principal Vanessa Ray

The academy, which opened in 2009, was upgraded from its previous rating of satisfactory in July 2011 and principal Vanessa Ray said they were delighted.

She said the academy had progressed “beyond recognition”, with staff, governors and sponsors working to drive up standards.

The academy, which is sponsored by Sellafield, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the University of Central Lancashire, was visited by four inspectors on February 19 and 20.

The Ofsted report said there were examples of outstanding teaching in many subjects, including maths, English and science, and achievement in vocational courses was “outstanding”.

“We have made improvements across every area of the school from the quality of our teaching and student behaviour to the breadth of our courses,” Mrs Ray said.

“By persisting in demanding the very best we now have students with a fantastic attitude to learning, exemplary behaviour, high aspirations and who are achieving well in their education.

The inspectors said students’ achievements had “improved considerably”, with positive attitudes to learning, good progress in literacy and numeracy, and the proportion of those gaining A* and A grades improving year-on-year.

Mrs Ray said 2012 had been a “monumental year”, with the move to a new build in March, their best ever GCSE results and outstanding A-level grades.

“This Ofsted judgement shows is that West Lakes Academy is so much more than bricks and mortar,” she added. “Having a lovely building and excellent resources is wonderful but it alone is not the reason behind the immense improvements in the quality of our teaching or the achievements of our students. The success of this academy is built upon the hard work and commitment by staff, pupils, governors and sponsors and they truly deserve this Ofsted rating.”

The report described leadership and management as good, with a “determined principal” who had been successful in improving achievement, attendance and behaviour as well as improving the quality of staff and teaching.

The academy was formed following the merger of Ehenside School in Cleator Moor and Wyndham in Egremont.

First published at 14:58, Thursday, 07 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk