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Discover our useful links and additional resources within this section. If you require any information, please contact our Academy Enquiries email address.
We are delighted to share our most recent Ofsted inspection report, which highlights the many strengths of our school and the positive experiences of our students. The report reflects the hard work, dedication and commitment of our students, staff, trust and wider community. We are extremely proud of this outcome and encourage parents, carers and stakeholders to read the full report to learn more about our continued journey of improvement.
Please see our latest edition of the ‘The Termly Essentials’ newsletter.
Northern Education Trust is immensely proud to announce that Essa Academy has been judged by Ofsted to be Strong in all categories, following its inspection under the new framework on 20th and 21st January 2026. Rated Good under the previous inspection framework, the academy has undergone rapid transformation thanks to the relentless determination of senior leaders in the school and the trust, and the support of governors. This inspection acknowledges that ‘leaders are working above the standard expected of them’ regarding all aspects of life at Essa Academy.
Inspectors were hugely impressed with the ‘typically high achievement, that is reflected in national examinations of all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs achieving well’. The report also celebrates the ‘highly effective support and guidance’ provided through ‘high-quality teaching’ within a ‘culture of high expectations for pupil’s behaviour and conduct, where pupils flourish’.
Inspectors commented how pupils ‘exhibit exceptionally positive behaviour and demonstrate a strong commitment to their learning’. Pupils told inspectors that they have a ‘strong sense of belonging’ and are proud to speak about how they ‘love coming to school’. Inspectors also noted that “pupils have extremely positive relationships with their teachers’, recognising the passion pupils feel about the academy, telling Inspectors about ‘how they ‘feel safe and look after one another’.
Melanie Flynn, Principal of Essa Academy, said: “We are over the moon that Ofsted have recognised the incredible hard work that has been done to improve our school. The report recognises how ‘the school provides a caring and supportive environment, with improving life chances being at the heart of everyone’s work’. The Trust and senior leaders at the academy have been on a mission to provide the best education possible for our wonderful students, which we have achieved with the support of our phenomenal, dedicated staff, the parents and carers of our students and our trustees and governors. My sincere thanks go to everyone who has supported us through this journey, and I hope both the school and local community join us in celebrating this magnificent achievement.”
Andrew Newton, Executive Principal at Essa Academy, said: “This report is a testament to the tireless commitment of our staff, who have worked with ‘relentless determination’ to ensure that our pupils ‘love coming to school’. Being part of the Northern Education Trust family of schools has been instrumental in this journey. By working collaboratively across the trust, we have shared the ‘high-quality, research-informed professional learning’ and ‘robust systems’ needed to ensure our ‘leaders are working above the standard expected of them’. We are stronger together, and this result proves that being part of a dedicated family of schools drives the ‘rapid improvements’ our children deserve.”
Dean Buckley, Associate Senior Executive Principal for Northern Education Trust, added: “This report reflects the impact of the Northern Education Trust’s model of school improvement, which is built on strong leadership, a clear curriculum, and a relentless focus on improving the life chances of every child.
Across the trust, schools work collaboratively to maintain high standards and ensure every student receives an excellent education, regardless of their background.
Our work is supported by the strategic leadership of the trust’s CEO, Deputy CEO, executive team and trustees, whose commitment to improving outcomes for young people continues to drive school improvement, particularly here at Essa, and we are extremely proud of the progress our staff and students have made.”
You can read the Ofsted report on our Ofsted Reports page.
Please see the letter from our Chief Executive following notification received from the Food Standards Agency regarding the potential contamination of mustard products with peanuts at a manufacturing site in India.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, and you claim for them, your child’s academy receives extra funding called ‘pupil premium’.
Pupil premium is funding from the government that is given to academies to help students to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. Academies receive £1,480 for primary students and £1,050 for secondary students who are registered for free school meals. The funding has to be used by the academy to enhance the individual learning of the qualifying student, and can be used in many ways including:
Students who are registered for free school meals do not have to eat them and cannot be identified as being registered for free school meals in anyway within the academy. However, the academy cannot claim the extra funding unless the student is registered.
Your child is eligible for free school meals, and therefore pupil premium funding for the academy if you access:
Register your child for free school meals using the application form below (or link to appropriate website), to ensure the academy receives the relevant funding it is entitled to. Academy staff are happy to support with any applications.
Please complete your application by 19 September 2024.
If you need any support with the application, please contact the academy and a member of staff will be happy to help.
Children today are growing up in an increasingly online world and it is essential that we are doing all that we can to support and guide their digital journey. At Northern Education Trust we are committed to ensuring that our students are always protected online and we recognise that in order to support our students in their technology journey, it is crucial we work together with parents and carers to create a positive digital environment.
Northern Education Trust has partnered with Smoothwall to create a free Online Safety Hub for parents and carers to help keep their children safe online. Smoothwall is a system used by the trust to monitor the content our students access and digitally safeguard against any dangers or risks.
The Online Safety Hub offers an abundance of expert advice and guidance to help parents and carers manage their child’s safety online. It also includes information on several topics when it comes to keeping children safe, such as how to manage your child’s screen time, understand the latest gaming platforms and what they mean for your child’s safety.
Smoothwall is also offering parents and carers a free Qustodio account which allows you to facilitate parental controls on any two devices, and free premium access for 30 days from registration. Qustodio is an app, and can also be downloaded onto computers and laptops, and allows you to gain more visibility on what is going on in your child’s online world. You will be able to block dangerous content, introduce screen-free schedules, receive alerts for inappropriate content, keep tabs on their location and more. For more information and to create your free account follow the link below:
The Online Safety Hub can be accessed via the link or the QR code below. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch: [email protected]
https://northerneducationtrust.onlinesafetyhub.uk/
