Rye Hills Academy, located in Redcar, has undergone significant transformation under effective leadership, achieving a good overall effectiveness rating in its recent inspection. The head of school, Hijab Zaheer, along with the North East Learning Trust, has established high expectations for pupils, aiming for excellence in education every day. The curriculum is ambitious and enriched with diverse opportunities, including participation in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and educational visits to significant locations such as the Houses of Parliament and the Northern School of Art. The school has demonstrated success, with GCSE results in summer 2023 showing a higher proportion of pupils achieving strong passes in English and mathematics compared to local and national averages.
Pupil behavior is commendable, with lessons characterized by calmness and purpose. The school fosters a culture of recognition and rewards, motivating students through a house system that encourages positive behavior. Instances of bullying are addressed effectively, and pupils feel that the behavior policy is fair. The well-being and safety of students are prioritized, contributing to a supportive learning environment.
Rye Hills Academy emphasizes personal development, offering various roles of responsibility for pupils, such as student council members and reading ambassadors. The school’s creative program, ‘Culture Vulture,’ broadens cultural understanding and engagement among students. The curriculum is broad and ambitious, often exceeding national requirements, with subjects designed to challenge pupils intellectually. For instance, students study multiple Shakespeare plays to explore complex themes, and mathematics instruction prepares them for advanced topics early in their education.
Teachers at the academy have received high-quality training, ensuring consistent implementation of the curriculum. They effectively utilize strategies such as ‘smart’ tasks to reinforce prior learning and employ questioning techniques to gauge understanding. Activities are carefully selected to help pupils embed knowledge and develop skills, particularly in subjects like English, where innovative methods enhance analytical abilities.
Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is robust, with teachers well-informed about individual needs and trained to provide effective assistance. This inclusive approach allows all students to access the full curriculum and engage meaningfully in their learning. The school prioritizes reading, implementing a peer support program that enables older pupils to assist younger ones, thereby enhancing reading fluency.
Despite these strengths, some pupils exhibit underdeveloped resilience and independent learning skills, which can hinder their academic and personal growth. The school is actively working to address this by fostering resilience and independence among students. Attendance is a focus area, with efforts to support those with attendance issues yielding positive results, as the number of persistently absent pupils is decreasing.
The personal, social, and health education curriculum, branded as ‘World Ready,’ effectively equips pupils with knowledge about online safety and healthy relationships. The careers curriculum provides comprehensive guidance on post-Year 11 options, ensuring that most pupils transition successfully to further education, employment, or training.
Leaders possess a clear understanding of the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. Teachers report high job satisfaction and feel well-supported by leadership, which considers their well-being and workload. The governing body is actively engaged, fulfilling its responsibilities and supporting the school’s mission.
Overall, Rye Hills Academy is on a positive trajectory, with effective leadership, a strong curriculum, and a commitment to pupil development. Continued efforts to embed the new curriculum and enhance independent learning skills will further strengthen the educational experience for all students.
