An academy where Take Care values “sing out from everyone” has been rated Good by Ofsted.
John Hunt Academy, on London Road, Balderton, was visited by inspectors in May, and has been rated Good in all areas.
It was the school’s first inspection since becoming an academy in 2021, but it had previously been rated Good as John Hunt Primary School.
Inspectors noted that the school’s pupils achieve well, and “enjoy school life and love learning”.
The school’s values also shone through from both staff and pupils, with the report finding the children take care of one another and their school staff are warm and caring, and there is good support — including for those with SEND.
Judi O’Leary, the school’s executive head, said: “We are particularly pleased that Ofsted noticed and praised the school’s Take Care ethos, which creates the wonderful learning and working environment which was clearly in evidence during the two day inspection — as it is each and every day of the year.
“The Ofsted team were quite simply bowled over by the pupils’ behaviour, enthusiasm for learning and their care for each other and the school community.”
The report also noted the school’s “ambitious curriculum” and expert teachers, SEND support, additional lessons for those who need them, and pupil’s enjoying texts from a broad range of authors.
John Hunt Academy’s early years provision was found to be a “warm and caring environment” where “children get off to a good start”.
Inspectors also noted the children understand and respect protected characteristics, and can join in with a variety of leadership roles and clubs within the school.
To improve, the report found the school should ensure a consistent approach to evaluating the impact of the curriculum to see how pupils build knowledge, and ensure staff can consistently address pupils’ misconceptions.
