East Sussex Academies

We are pleased that, following the rigorous two-day inspection, Ofsted judged Burfield Academy to be Good, with Outstanding for leadership and management, behaviour and attitudes and personal development.  

The report reflects the high quality provision that STEP has been able to achieve. Inspectors recognised that Burfield has undergone significant changes since joining STEP: “Leaders’ relentless drive for improvement continues to propel the school forward. The expertise provided by the trust has helped to support, train and develop staff so that everyone has the tools they need to do their best for the pupils.”  

The behaviour of the children was also recognised, something staff have continuously worked on:  “Pupils’ behaviour in classes and around the school is excellent.  Leaders have carefully considered how to help pupils grow into responsible citizens.”

Particular praise should be reserved for the outstanding leadership of Mrs King and her senior team, brilliantly supported by Mr Meek.  

The STEP Team at Burfield Academy will continue working with passion and urgency to build on this tremendous achievement and continue the trajectory of improvement.   

Congratulations to all the staff, pupils and parents of Burfield Academy, as well as the extended STEP family.

Burfield-Ofsted-Report-March-2022

Earlier this term, Phoenix Academy was visited by Ofsted. This was the school’s first inspection since joining STEP in January 2017.

We are pleased to confirm that, following the rigorous two-day inspection, Ofsted judged Phoenix Academy to be Good, with Outstanding for leadership and management.

Inspectors recognised that Phoenix has undergone significant changes since joining STEP: “Leaders and those in positions of governance have high aspirations for every pupil.  They are determined that the school will shake off the legacy of the past so that current pupils fulfil their full potential.”  Of course, particular praise should be reserved for the outstanding leadership of Mr Evans and his senior team, brilliantly supported by Mr Mills.

The personal development of the children was also recognised, something staff have been working on since 2017: “Pastoral care is strong here.  Pupils are supported successfully by staff when they find learning hard.  The use of a carefully adapted scheme of personal, social and health education (PSHE) also helps pupils understand the impact of prejudice and lack of tolerance, for instance.”

Although a very positive Ofsted, we recognise that there is still much to be achieved. The STEP Team at Phoenix Academy will continue working with passion and urgency to build on this tremendous achievement and continue the trajectory of improvement.

At the beginning of this term, White House Academy was inspected by Ofsted, the school’s first inspection since joining STEP in January 2017.

We are pleased to confirm that, following the rigorous two-day inspection, Ofsted judged White House Academy to be Good with Outstanding for leadership and management.  For a school that was judged Inadequate twice before joining Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust, this is an astonishing achievement.

Inspectors recognised that White House has undergone significant changes since joining STEP: “The headteacher, senior leaders and STEP Academy Trust have transformed this school in the last two years.”  Of course, particular praise should be reserved for the outstanding leadership of Alun Evans and his senior team, brilliantly supported by Tim Mills.

The behaviour of the children was also recognised, something staff have been working on since 2017: “The school is now a calm place where pupils come to learn. One pupil explained that teachers have, ‘introduced discipline back into our school’.”

Although a very positive Ofsted, we recognise that there is still much to be achieved. The STEP Team at White House Academy will continue working with passion and urgency to build on this tremendous achievement and continue the trajectory of improvement.

On Friday 1 February, we were delighted that Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, visited White House Academy following the impressive results at Phoenix and White House in 2018.  Visitors were impressed with the behaviour and positive attitude of the children who are obviously thriving and enjoying their learning.   The support of colleagues from across our Trust was also recognised as having an impact on helping the children achieve their potential.

Below is a link to Nusrat Ghani’s website following the visit:

https://www.nusghani.org.uk/news/hailsham-academies-excellent-performance

Our thanks go to Alun Evans, Headteacher of Phoenix and White House Academies, the staff and children for welcoming our visitors and hosting this important visit.

Staff and pupils at Phoenix Academy in Hailsham are celebrating, following the publication of important Primary School test results by the Government.

With 71% of children achieving the required standard in both the English and Maths tests, Phoenix Academy is now the top performing school in Hailsham. It’s an even more amazing achievement given that three years ago the school was threatened with closure for ‘unacceptably low standards’.

In a short space of time, Phoenix Academy, which is part of STEP Academy Trust, has had a tremendous impact on children’s learning. The progress children make from when they enter to when they leave, has established Phoenix Academy as one of England’s top performing Primary Schools.

Alun Evans, the Academy’s Headteacher said “We put children at the centre of everything we do. These results show that the children at Phoenix Academy have the knowledge and ability to start secondary school ready to learn and make even greater progress. Working together with professionals across all STEP academies we are able to provide an excellent education for the children and ensure they can aim high in terms of further education and future careers”.

Chair of Governors, Sarah Hall said, “We are incredibly proud of what our children have achieved since STEP took over from the troubled Lilac Sky Schools Academy Trust in January 2017. We receive fantastic support from the STEP team and the children are really feeling the benefit of becoming part of the wider family of STEP schools”.

The school is currently recruiting pupils for the 2019 Reception Class intake. If you would like to visit and tour the school please email joinus@stepacademytrust.org or phone 01323 841615.

Our 6 East Sussex academies have been part of the STEP family for nearly two years and we are really keen to understand how stakeholders feel it’s going.  Whether it’s good news or not, please share your views using the links below:

Newhaven STEP Survey


Hailsham STEP Survey

Burfield received their first Ofsted inspection last month and inspectors praised the leadership for achieving significant improvement in a short time.

 

Although Burfield received a judgement of ‘requires improvement’,  leadership and management was judged as Good and inspectors recognised how staff are conspicuously determined to achieve better outcomes for all pupils. In addition to leadership and management; personal development, behaviour and welfare and early years provision were also considered to be Good.

 

The unity of STEP (STEP First) was also highlighted, citing the effective support from STEP, enabling rapid and sustainable improvement. They observed that our Trust demonstrates strong moral purpose, and are committed to securing the positive future of the Academy.

 

Although Burfield is still in its early days as part of STEP, this report demonstrates the tremendous improvement that has been made, in just 15 months.