Sent to parents and carers on 21/07/25
Section 5 Ofsted Report
Please find below the report from our recent Section 5 Ofsted inspection, which took place on 10 and 11 June. Ofsted will shortly publish this report online and we will add a link on our website as soon as it is available.
Westbourne Academy Ofsted Report 11 12 JUN 2025
The inspection team rightly recognised a number of important strengths at Westbourne Academy. They noted that most students are polite, friendly and hardworking, and that these students benefit from warm and positive relationships with staff. They also praised the structured curriculum, effective teaching in many areas, the careers education on offer, and the wide range of enrichment activities available. Safeguarding arrangements were found to be effective.
However, the report also confirms the areas for development we have already recognised and are actively addressing. These include reducing the frequency and impact of disruptive behaviour, tackling the use of derogatory language, improving attendance, and ensuring that the needs of all students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), are consistently met. These are not new findings to us. We have been working hard across this academic year to respond to these challenges and implement meaningful change.
Ofsted’s report represents a snapshot of two days in the life of the school. While we do not shy away from the seriousness of the findings, it is important to emphasise that we have a clearer, fuller picture of our school than any short inspection can provide. We are resolute in our commitment to improving Westbourne. We are confident in the steps we are taking to achieve this.
As many of you will know, from previous communications and our recent face-to-face conversations at parents’ evenings, these challenges have been at the forefront of our improvement work for some time.
Some of this work is already well underway. For example, we have recently appointed a new Vice Principal, Mr Stronach, to lead on behaviour and attitudes, and a new SENDCO, Mrs Piper, will be joining us in September to strengthen provision for our most vulnerable learners. Alongside these changes, we are continuing to refine our curriculum, develop staff training, and implement targeted strategies to improve attendance and behaviour. All of this work is focused on ensuring that your child has the opportunity to succeed and feel proud of our school.
I want to thank our staff, students, parents and carers for their continued support. We will be hosting a series of monthly parent and carer forums from September to share progress and invite your feedback as we move forward together. The first of these forum meetings will be on Wednesday 10 September (16:00 – 17:00). These events will provide a valuable opportunity for open dialogue and collaborative working.
Kind regards
Mr M Higgon
Principal
Academy vision: Westbourne is an inclusive academy. We support all students, regardless of starting point, to achieve their potential and develop the skills necessary for employment and life.
Academy values: Be Safe, Be Thoughtful, Be Accountable and Be Respectful.
General queries to: wes-office@attrust.org.uk or 01473 742315