A BARNSLEY school are celebrating this week after becoming the only education setting in the town to receive an outstanding grade in each of Ofsted’s four metrics - despite being housed in temporary accommodation.
Trinity Academy St Edward’s, currently based on Eastgate in the town centre before they move to a new £25m building on Broadway in September, has more than 500 pupils on its roll.
It was inspected on May 14 and 15 for the first time since its opening, with the results being made public last week.
They were graded outstanding in each of the four metrics - quality of education, behaviour, personal development and leadership and management - and Ofsted have confirmed they’re currently the only mainstream secondary school in Barnsley to receive that accolade.
A report states: “Pupils receive an exceptional education at this highly inclusive school.
“Pupils are welcomed into a school family and provided with a huge number of opportunities to learn and to develop their character.
“Pupils make rapid progress through the curriculum.
“They develop a command of vocabulary that allows them to explain complex ideas.
“Leaders have the highest ambition for pupils.
“There is an unwavering determination from all staff to provide young people with the very best education.
“Staff are highly motivated and proud to work at the school.”
The school’s principal Mark Allen told the Chronicle: “We are proud and overjoyed that our wonderful school and its community have been given this judgement by Ofsted.
“To be the first ever mainstream secondary school in Barnsley to achieve this is testament to superb work of our staff and our trust.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed our journey at Eastgate - this judgement is just the start point of even better things to come as we move to our new build.
“Our culture is driven on the highest expectations, working to overcome barriers, and enabling the children of Barnsley to succeed in their studies alongside developing their character.
“To be judged outstanding in all areas fills me with immense pride.”
Mark is now looking ahead to the new school site, on Broadway, which will finally open to pupils in September.
He added: “From September we will benefit hugely from a purpose-built, high specification building that will drive our already outstanding curriculum offer to be even better.
“Our children will continue to experience a world-class education, but now in a world-class building.
“Our breadth of offer can now include drama, a full suite of PE facilities, music rehearsal rooms, textiles, food technology and so much more.
“We look forward to welcoming our community into the new build in the new academic year.
”On behalf of all the staff at Trinity Academy St Edward’s we want to thank our families, external partners, local authority colleagues and any other agency or professional that has been on this journey with us.
“There is no ceiling to what our children in Barnsley can achieve, this is superb verification of that.”
