The Ramsey Academy in Halstead, Essex, underwent an inspection on September 24 and 25, 2024. The school is led by headteacher Charlotte Sterland and is part of the Bridge Academy Trust, overseen by CEO Mark Farmer and chaired by Dr. Margaret Wilson. The inspection results indicate that the quality of education is rated as good, while behavior and attitudes require improvement. Personal development and leadership and management are both rated as good. The school previously received a good grade in its last inspection in January 2019.
Pupils at The Ramsey Academy express respect for their teachers and appreciate the strong support provided by staff, particularly for those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school environment is described as safe, and pupils feel confident in voicing their concerns. Recently, there has been a shift towards higher expectations for student achievement, leading to an ambitious curriculum that has resulted in high-quality work from students, including impressive artwork.
However, behavior among pupils is inconsistent. While most students behave well and focus during lessons, there are instances of noisy and unsettled behavior that disrupt learning. Although breaktimes are generally orderly, some areas of the school experience unsettled behavior. Instances of bullying have been reported, and while the school addresses these issues, some cases persist, leading to concerns among parents. The school has faced challenges due to the closure of parts of its site, which has affected the overall experience for pupils, although staffing has stabilized.
The school has made efforts to improve standards following a decline post-COVID-19. The trust has collaborated effectively with school leaders to establish a clear vision for educational quality. Improvements are evident in areas such as curriculum and attendance, but further work is needed to address behavior issues. The curriculum is broad and well-structured, equipping pupils with essential knowledge and skills. Teachers generally deliver the curriculum effectively, although there are occasions when they do not thoroughly check pupils' understanding, leading to gaps in learning.
Pupils generally develop their reading skills well, but those in the early stages of reading do not receive adequate support, impacting their progress. The school has introduced a new behavior policy, resulting in calmer corridors and classrooms, and improved attendance. However, some pupils continue to repeat misbehaviors, indicating a need for better teaching on the importance of positive conduct.
The personal development curriculum is coherent and effective, covering essential topics such as online safety. Year 11 pupils appreciate the careers education provided, which prepares them for informed choices. However, the extracurricular offerings are limited, leading to some pupils not fully engaging with school life.
Trustees and governors maintain close oversight of the school's provision, offering a balance of challenge and support that has contributed to improvements. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of pupils.
To enhance the school's performance, it is essential to provide better support for early readers, ensure teachers effectively check understanding in lessons, address the root causes of misbehavior, and expand extracurricular opportunities to foster greater engagement and community involvement among pupils.
