The Bristol school which went from special measures to 'outstanding' in three years
The biggest primary school in one of Bristol’s most deprived areas has been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, less than three years after being put into special measures.
Pupils, parents and staff at Hareclive E-Act Academy, in Hartcliffe, are celebrating the end of term with the news that Ofsted inspectors have confirmed the remarkable turnaround of the school, which had to be closed and reopened under new leadership.
Back in April 2016, inspectors described every aspect of Hareclive Academy as either ‘inadequate’ or ‘requiring improvement’, and most damning, the inspectors said things were getting worse.
The school, which has nearly 400 pupils and is the biggest primary school in Hartcliffe, was put into special measures following a string of worrying inspections and reports, and the academy trust that ran it collapsed.
In the summer of 2016, the old Hareclive Academy officially closed, and the school reopened in September 2016 as part of the E-Act academy chain.
A year later, a new headteacher, Kate Richardson moved across from Greenfield E-Act Academy in Knowle West, to take over in September 2017, along with other new staff.
The school’s first formal Ofsted inspection since being put into special measures and reopening took place earlier this month, and on the final day of term, parents were sent a copy of the Ofsted inspection report - which detailed an incredible turnaround.
"We take this opportunity to congratulate academy and regional staff as well as the wider academy community. It is thanks to them that pupils leave Hareclive fully prepared for the rigours of secondary education and life beyond," she added.
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