With the support of staff, pupils and families, the leadership has been committed to driving continuous improvement through some rare and extremely challenging circumstances over the past 18 months, which has been reflected in the glowing report.

In the recent inspection, Huntingdon Academy was praised for its inclusive vision, with inspectors judging the academy to be ‘Outstanding’ across the board in the categories of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.

In particular, Ofsted said that “staff have set high expectations” which ensure pupils “achieve exceptionally well”.

The inspection report is full of highlights, including that:

• Ofsted praised the work of L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, noting that the governors, trust and school staff “work in harmony to ensure pupils achieve exceptionally well.”
• Huntingdon Academy’s curriculum is “meticulously well-structured and logically ordered”, and teachers have strong subject knowledge.
• Pupils are also proud to take on extra responsibilities such as subject ambassadors. This means the pupils “develop a strong sense of responsibility which helps to maintain the positive, happy, and inclusive culture that everyone enjoys”.
• A large emphasis is placed on pupils’ reading skills and the school “leaves no stone unturned in its quest to ensure that pupils learn to read”. Pupils are “avid readers” who love earning tokens to spend at the school’s “well-stocked reading vending machine”.
• Activities are “skilfully adapted” for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and support for pupils who speak English as an additional language is “exemplary”.
• “Pupils live and breathe the schools’ values in all aspects of school life.”
• Inspectors also praised the early years environment noting it as “a magical place in which to learn”.
• Pupils know they are “essential members of the school community”. In the last year, the academy has been committed to providing bespoke support to pupils, through its ‘open door policy’.
• Staff are “incredibly proud” to be part of such a “positive and successful team”, and “appreciate all that the school does to help their workload and well-being”.