Telford school celebrates after winning inspectors' praise in Ofsted report

Abraham Darby Academy received the second best rating, behind "outstanding", in a report published by Ofsted. The report followed an inspection which took place on June 9 and 10.

It praises leaders, teachers and pupils at the school in Madeley – but says improvements need to be made in the sixth form and with attendance to push it on to the next level.

Lee Hadley, principal at the school in Ironbridge Road, said the report was an "excellent achievement".

"The current educational climate is one in which it is very challenging for schools to obtain one of the top grades," he said.

"Almost everything has to be impressive – results, behaviour, leadership and teaching. From the comments in the report, we are strong in all of these areas.

"The areas that have been highlighted as needing to improve were not news to us and were already part of our three-year development plan.

"We are already working – as the report acknowledges – and will continue to work hard to improve these areas.

"On the day before Ofsted arrived I called an impromptu full school assembly where I informed pupils that we were to be inspected.

"I told them that Abraham Darby is their school and to show the inspectors how good we are. Our pupils responded."

The report said leaders had created an "ethos of ambition, high expectations and aspiration".

Inspectors said teaching at the academy was "good" with staff "committed to getting the best from every pupil". Marking of work is of a "high quality", the report acknowledged, and helps pupils to make good progress.

Pupils were also praised. Inspectors said they were well-behaved in lessons and were generally polite, friendly and respectful towards each other and staff.

Inspectors said the school was not yet an outstanding one because attendance was below the national average and not improving quickly enough.

They also highlighted that pupils in the "small" sixth form were not making good enough progress.

The report also said results in some subjects, including science and history, were not as good as those in English and maths.

The report comes after four other academies in Telford were given the worst possible rating following visits by Ofsted inspectors and placed into special measures.

Sutherland Co-Operative Academy, Wrockwardine Wood Arts Academy, Lakeside Academy and Phoenix Academy all received "inadequate" ratings and will now be closely monitored.

The Ofsted report can be viewed in full on the school's website – www.abrahamdarbyacademy.org.uk