Lightcliffe Academy Calderdale: continued improvement sees GCSE and Ofsted levels boosted

Vast improvements at a Calderdale high school once put in special measures have led to a boost to its OFSTED rating, improved GCSE results and increased staff engagement.
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Published 23rd Dec 2022, 00:01 GMT
“We have fantastic students who continue to make us proud through everything they achieve, both in and out of the classroom.”“We have fantastic students who continue to make us proud through everything they achieve, both in and out of the classroom.”
“We have fantastic students who continue to make us proud through everything they achieve, both in and out of the classroom.”

Lightcliffe Academy is proud of the work the school community put in to move the school out of ‘Special Measures’ in March 2022 and has continued to build on its improvement journey throughout this year.

The summer 2022 exam period saw Lightcliffe Academy achieve its best ever student outcomes, with overall GCSE results being significantly better than a large number of local schools within a shared catchment area.

Through the Academies character education, students are equipped with the Lightcliffe SHARED values – growing their understanding of service, health and happiness, ambition, resilience, equity and diversity. These values are fundamental to the pursuit of academic excellence, and stand at the heart of all aspirational teaching, learning and pastoral care at the academy. This character curriculum is having a legacy far beyond the school gates, says the school, impacting young people as friends, neighbours, parents, team members and employees, benefitting both the individuals themselves, their wider communities and broader society.

Success for Lightcliffe Academy as improvements continueSuccess for Lightcliffe Academy as improvements continue
Success for Lightcliffe Academy as improvements continue

Outside of the classroom, Lightcliffe now offers an extensive range of extracurricular activities, from its annual drama productions (Footloose will be performed from 22nd – 25th February 2023), to the widest range of extracurricular sports. The academy’s Year 11 boys Football team are West Yorkshire Champions, and currently in the 5th round of the national cup.

Engagement levels

However, it’s not only student engagement that has seen improvements, internal staff surveys, based on the Ofsted versions, have also shown that staff are engaged, supported and proud to work at Lightcliffe Academy. When asked “Do you enjoy working at Lightcliffe Academy?” positive responses soared to 100% in October 2022, compared to just 41% in May 2021. This is demonstrated through low staff absence – the academy currently does not need to engage any external supply teachers, and for one week in November they reported zero lessons that required cover.

Positive news

Paul Cooper, Executive Principal (Secondary) at Abbey Multi Academy Trust, said: “We have fantastic students who continue to make us proud through everything they achieve, both in and out of the classroom. Our staff are dedicated and committed, and have worked tirelessly as a team to drive improvement and understand the critically of continued pace and momentum.”

Looking ahead to the new term in January, Lightcliffe Academy is excited to welcome Jo Hackett as the new Head of School. Jo joins Lightcliffe from Oasis Academy Lister Park where she is currently Deputy Principal and was instrumental in their journey from Special Measures to Good.

Find out more about studying or working at Lightcliffe Academy at: www.lightcliffeacademy.co.uk

Related topics:GCSECalderdaleOfsted