Dixons Cottingley Academy receives 'good' in first Ofsted

Dixons Cottingley Academy, in Cottingley New Road, Bingley was visited by the education watchdog on November 15 and 16 last year.

The school – which provides education for 873 students between the ages of 11 and 16 – was previously known as The Samuel Lister Academy before it was launched in its new guise under the Dixons Academies Trust banner in June 2018 – its tenth school at the time.

The Samuel Lister Academy was judged to be 'inadequate' in May 2016, in its last full Ofsted inspection before the change, and was placed into special measures.

Dixons Cottingley Academy, in Cottingley New Road, Bingley (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

A monitoring visit in November that year highlighted the school’s leaders and managers had not taken effective action towards the removal of special measures.

But Dixons Cottingley Academy has turned a corner under its new stewardship, receiving 'good' across all categories.

Inspectors found there is a climate of high expectation at the school, with a strong academic curriculum.

This includes centering their focus on EBacc (English Baccalaureate) suite of subjects – which consists of English language and literature, maths, the sciences, geography or history and a language.

The report said: “Leaders have high aspirations for pupils.

It added: “Leaders sustain a focus on rapid and ongoing improvement.”

This is achieved by using consistent routines in lessons, devoting time in each lesson to helping pupils recall knowledge from previous classes and using assessments to check what they know.

But the report said “there is a variance in how well teachers use this information to adapt their teaching and fill gaps in learning". 

Student suspensions remain high, especially among pupils with SEND, and absences and persistent absences over time have been too high.

But overall the levels of suspension have been significantly reduced and leaders have put clear systems in place to tackle absences, which was beginning to improve pupils’ attendance.

Students at the school receive a range of careers information – including from external sources – with the aim of helping them make ambitious and well-informed decisions about their futures.

The report said: “This sometimes forms part of wider academic learning.

“For example, after an English trip to see a performance of Macbeth, pupils met the cast and crew to learn about careers in theatre.”

Jason Patterson, Principal, Dixons Cottingley Academy said: “I am delighted with the findings of our recent Ofsted inspection. The result is testimony to all the hard work of the students and staff.

“The report puts us on a clear pathway to sustained improvement and excellence.

“Our academy mission is at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to deliver on our mission to ensure our pupils get the education they deserve.”