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Hartsdown Academy in Margate rated 'good' by Ofsted

A head teacher who took on one of the worst-performing schools in the country has turned its fortunes around - helping it earn a 'good' Ofsted rating.

Hartsdown Academy in Margate, which was ordered to improve in 2018, has been heaped with praise by inspectors who highlighted principal Matthew Tate's "clear and ambitious" vision.

Hartsdown Academy, Margate. Picture: Chris Davey
Hartsdown Academy, Margate. Picture: Chris Davey

The school had previously come under fire from Ofsted for pupils' disruptive behaviour, below-average attendance and ineffective teaching.

Over the three years up to 2018, GCSE results had also been in the bottom 10% nationally and the education watchdog said that pupils were failing to make progress.

Then, in 2019, just 6.8% achieved a C in maths and English in GCSEs and its attainment 8 score - a controversial method measuring performance across eight key subjects - put the school bottom of the pile in England.

But Mr Tate, who became head teacher in 2016, was already transforming the school at that time and now his hard work has paid dividends, with the academy given a 'good' rating overall and in every area, including the quality of education, behaviour and personal development of pupils.

Four inspectors visited the school in George V Avenue just before Christmas and a report was published this week showing their findings.

Matthew Tate. Picture Peter Barnett
Matthew Tate. Picture Peter Barnett

They say staff and pupils agree that Hartsdown has improved greatly and that students are proud to belong to the school.

"They know that staff want them to aim high, so that they leave with the qualifications and experiences they need to be successful," the inspectors said.

"The school is a warm and welcoming place. Pupils spoke enthusiastically about how much diversity is valued. They enjoy working together and relationships between pupils and staff are very strong."

Inspectors also highlight how students now behave well at the school, which is part of the Coastal Academies Trust, along with King Ethelbert School, Dane Court Grammar and Cliftonville Primary.

"Lessons are not often disrupted, meaning pupils can get on with their learning," they said.

Hartsdown Academy, Margate. Picture: Chris Davey
Hartsdown Academy, Margate. Picture: Chris Davey

"They have confidence in their teachers to help them deal with any problems they have.

"Bullying happens sometimes, but pupils know that staff or the anti-bullying ambassadors will step in to help."

The report also outlines the improvement in teaching, the "carefully considered" curriculum and well-designed subjects.

It says regular written assessments help teachers identify where pupils have gaps in their knowledge and describes the school's personal development programme as comprehensive.

Inspectors say school leaders are also ambitious for those with special educational needs and disabilities.

In the 2018 report, concerns were raised by Oftsed about sixth-form teachers and students having not fully taken on board the new International Baccalaureate curriculum.

But in the latest inspection, the sixth-form provision was rated 'good'.

In a list of improvements still needed, inspectors say the school still needs to increase the number of children studying a modern foreign language to GCSE.

They also say in some lessons, the curriculum is not implemented consistently well.

"Leaders need to ensure that the implementation of the curriculum is consistently strong across all subjects, especially with regard to assessment processes, so that pupils are challenged to know more and remember more," they added.

Kate Greig, CEO of Coastal Academies Trust, says Hartsdown has gone from strength to strength over the last four years.

"Each time I visit the school I see how much it has improved," she said.

"Matt Tate and his staff have shown the determination, skill, integrity and tenacity needed to turn a school around and it is wonderful that Ofsted has recognised this.

"What is particularly pleasing is the way the students are celebrated in the report with the inspection team seeing how positive, engaged and happy the youngsters are at the school.

"The relationships between staff and students is excellent and the school has made sure the curriculum it offers is ambitious and focused so that each student can reach their potential."

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