Stamford Welland Academy hopes to build on its Ofsted success by offering sixth form provision in the future

A school community hopes to build on its success after maintaining a good Ofsted rating.

Stamford Welland Academy was praised for its quality of education, pupil behaviour, personal development and leadership.

Having maintained standards since the previous inspection in 2017, the school is now turning its focus to future developments including the introduction of sixth form provision.

Headteacher Vicky Lloyd said: “I would like to thank and congratulate everyone for their support and commitment to making the school the very best it can be. It has been a great start to the year and we can’t wait to build on our success further.

“We knew our personal development and pastoral care was strong so I was pleased for that to be recognised.

“The findings highlight our dedication to ensuring every child in our care is a successful learner, confident individual, and responsible and employable citizen.”

The school is part of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust, which has started discussions with other agencies about opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds.

Executive principal Sarah Wilson said: “It’s great that these conversations have started, but Stamford does have sixth form provision already so we need a sufficient number of pupils coming through the school to make it viable.”

She added that the trust has reached a “serious planning stage” to bring the idea to fruition, but no time-scale has been confirmed.

Building work to create two new science laboratories will start in January if planning permission is granted, followed by two more within 18 months.

Those additional facilities are expected to attract more pupils, up to 150 per year, which in turn will generate funding for future expansion.

Ofsted inspector Rakesh Patel said: “Leaders have done much to improve the school. They have strengthened relationships with the local community which have led to more parents wanting to send their children here.”

To improve further the school must identify which strategies are most effective to support pupils with special educational needs, and help pupils to retain knowledge of subjects they do not continue to GCSE level.

Mrs Lloyd added: “We want to strive for an outstanding rating at our next inspection and I think it’s within reach.”