Iceni Academy in Methwold making positive progress, Ofsted reports

An academy near Thetford which was put into special measures last September is making steps in the ‘right direction’, education watchdogs have said.

The first monitoring inspection by Ofsted at the Iceni Academy, in Methwold, found there were ‘detailed plans to improve the academy’ in place.

During the visit on December 16 inspectors found the school, managed by Academy Transformation Trust, had ‘rightly prioritised improving the quality of teaching’ and students had been set ‘aspirational targets’.

In a letter to principal Gee Cook, Her Majesty’s Inspector John Mitcheson noted school leaders felt there was ‘nothing preventing the academy from being judged good at its next inspection’.

Ms Cook said: “We are pleased to see Ofsted recognising the hard work taking place. The plans we have put in place create a higher quality learning environment where all our pupils can reach their full potential.

“I am confident that this summer’s exam results will reflect the determination of both staff and pupils to improve and we strongly feel we are on the road to an Ofsted ‘good’ at our next inspection.”