The Stour Academy Trust are celebrating the results of a recent Ofsted inspection which endorsed the incredible transformation of Richmond Academy, where the overall rating of ‘Good’ was its first ever in the history of the school.
Labelled as the 8th most deprived school in Kent and having a 30-year history of ‘inadequate’ or ‘requires improvement’ Ofsted judgments, Richmond Academy has been completely turned around by The Stour Academy Trust. Inspected in November 2022, the school received a rating of ‘Good’ in all inspection categories resulting in a ‘Good’ rating overall.
Headteacher Helen Evemy with Dudley the school dog and children, celebrate the first ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in Richmond Academy’s history.
With a visit from Ofsted in 2019 recognising the “stability and renewed sense of ambition” from Headteacher Helen Evemy and “relentless” leadership of The Stour Academy Trust alongside a substantial investment of over £300,000 in recent years on upgrading buildings, premises and the school environment, Novembers visit from Ofsted is the latest endorsement of the school’s incredible transformation.
In a glowing report, amongst many other areas, inspectors highlighted the unfaltering efforts of leadership, the high-quality curriculum, behaviour of pupils and the children’s well-being:
“Leaders have taken the school on a journey of continual improvement. They are tireless in their efforts to provide the very best education because their pupils deserve nothing less.“
“Everyone who works in this school cares deeply about the pupils. Each and every pupil matters.“
“In the early years, children learn in a stimulating, vibrant environment. They encounter interesting activities that help them to learn important knowledge and skills.”
“Staff are determined to make all pupils confident, fluent readers who love reading.“
“School leaders have worked closely with leaders across the trust to develop a high-quality curriculum. This begins with firm foundations in the early years.”
“Children get off to a strong start learning to read. They enjoy reading.”
“Pupils’ mental health is a high priority. Pupils feel listened to.“
“Pupils are kind, polite and friendly to one another, and to school staff.”
A school that has never achieved a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in its entire history, Richmond first became an academy in 2014, sponsored by the now dissolved Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust. After being re-brokered to The Stour Academy Trust in 2017, the school has seen a dramatic turnaround where a stable team of staff and Headteacher (current Headteacher Helen Evemy is now the longest serving Headteacher in the school’s history at nearly 6 years in post) has given the local community a school to be proud of and more importantly, given the children the education that they deserve.
Helen Evemy, Headteacher at Richmond Academy:
“We are absolutely thrilled with the results of the Ofsted inspection, which reflect the hard work and dedication of our staff, children, and community. It is a true testament to the transformation of Richmond Academy over the past few years, and we are so proud to have received the first ever ‘Good’ rating in the school’s history. We are committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of education and support to our children, and we are excited to build on this success in the future.
Most importantly, this report highlights that above all else, the well-being and happiness of our children is at the very heart of what we do, and as written in the report, everyone who works in this school cares deeply about the pupils -each and every pupil matters”
Rachael Howell, Chief Executive Officer at The Stour Academy Trust:
It has been extremely meaningful to receive recognition from Ofsted for our efforts to prepare our children for success in the 21st century. Our commitment as a Trust to providing a high-quality, innovative curriculum that purposefully incorporates the latest technology and teaching methods has been recognised in the inspection report, and we are excited to see the children at Richmond thrive as they develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
We understand the importance of providing a strong foundation and support system for all our children and are pleased that Richmond Academy can now become an influential cornerstone of the Sheerness community, supporting the growth and success of children and families.”
Richmond Academy recently was named as a Microsoft Showcase School.
On the back of the glowing report, Richmond Academy has recently been named as a Microsoft Showcase School for 2022-23 – a prestigious achievement, with only hundreds of schools around the world achieving the accolade each year.
A Microsoft Showcase School is committed to school-wide digital transformation, specifically, using Microsoft’s Education Transformation Framework – and the technology that it entails – to drive a culture of learning, innovation and continuous improvement.
The schools are dedicated to providing improved teaching methods for staff and improved learning outcomes for students, having the necessary technology in place to effectively manage transitions, such as to remote or hybrid learning scenarios.
The full Ofsted report can be read on Richmond Academy’s website:
As the most recently inspected Good School on the Isle of Sheppey, there is still time for parents on the Island to consider Richmond Academy for their choices for schools for children starting in September 2023.
Interested parents are encouraged to to book a school tour, please Richmond’s Contact form or phone them on 01795 662891.
Parents have until Monday 16th January 2023 to apply for school places.
