Outstanding report for Ruth Gorse Academy

The Ruth Gorse Academy in Hunslet has been graded as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in an inspection report released today (25 September 2017).

The school, which opened three years ago and moved to its new home on Black Bull Street near the Royal Armouries last September, was graded outstanding across all four key categories. The inspection was carried out on 12 and 13 July 2017, but the report was delayed by the summer break.

Vice Principal Rebekah Taylor with the Student Ambassadors

Staff, pupils and school leaders were all praised for their approach teaching and learning:

“Pupils are very confident and have highly positive attitudes to their learning. Pupils embrace challenges and work together constructively, supporting each other to do their best. Pupils really value, and are proud of, the opportunities the school provides for them to take on responsibility, for example in becoming student ambassadors.”

“Teachers are extremely knowledgeable, highly enthusiastic and very passionate about providing a first-class education for all pupils. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve, and pupils strive to meet them.”

“Leaders successfully create a culture of ambition and an ethos in which pupils ‘dare to achieve beyond what they are today’. Leaders are relentless in their determination that all pupils should reach their full potential and have a bright future ahead of them, no matter what their background.”

Commenting on the report, Rebekah Taylor who was Principal at the time of the inspection told South Leeds Life:

“It was a pleasure to show the Inspectors what happens on a day to day basis in school and see that reflected in their report. Our students were fantastic, as they always are, and engaged positively with the Inspectors.

“I’m most pleased for the community of South Leeds who deserve to have an Outstanding secondary school to serve them.”

This term the school has expanded again as students moved up into Year 10 to start their GCSE studies in Key Stage 4. A new Principal, Liam Nolan was appointed to oversee the larger school and Rebekah Taylor continues as Vice Principal.

The Ruth Gorse Academy is holding an Open Day, for families with children in Year 6 applying for secondary places, on Saturday 7 October between 10am-1pm.

You can read the full Ofsted report here on the school’s website.