Southend school celebrates Ofsted report after remarkable turnaround

A SOUTHEND school is celebrating after making a series of improvements to achieve a ‘good’ Ofsted rating.

Victory Park Academy, part of the Parallel Learning Trust, was rated as ‘requires improvement’ following an inspection in 2021.

Now the school has been praised by inspectors who highlighted the “outstanding” standard of behavior and attitudes of its pupils.

Victory Park provides full-time education for 101 students who have “experienced learning and behavioral difficulties” in mainstream schools.

Following a recent inspection, Ofsted praised how Victory Park pupils “develop very positive attitudes to their education” and “are incredibly respectful of staff, visitors and each other”.

The report, seen by the Echo, said: “Pupils arrive at school having had negative previous experiences of education. The staff quickly learns what the specific needs of the students are.

“This helps them settle into school very well. They soon learn to re-engage in learning.

“Students develop very positive attitudes towards their education.”

Inspectors highlighted teachers’ commitment to tailoring the curriculum to meet the individual needs of pupils and helping them “get the qualifications they need to be ready for the next stage of learning”.

Other strengths highlighted included a focus on reading, a wider offer of enrichment to build pupils’ confidence and resilience and strong relationships with parents.

Landi Muca, headteacher at Victory Park Academy, in Wentworth Road, said: “We are delighted that Ofsted has recognized the transformation of Victory Park.

“The whole team have worked so hard to make the school the best it can be and today’s hugely positive report underlines what they have achieved.

“It’s great to see our close work with our school community and our high quality teaching being rewarded in this way.”

Angela Barry OBE, its chief executive, added: “I am incredibly proud of what Landi and his team and the whole school community have achieved. It is a wonderful Ofsted report and confirms that Victory Park Academy provides an excellent standard of education and care for all its pupils.”