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Read the full Ofsted Report here.

The Sir Robert Woodard Academy Celebrates Major Ofsted Milestone in First Inspection Under New Framework

Leaders at The Sir Robert Woodard Academy in Lancing are proud to announce the outcome of their latest Ofsted inspection, which took place in January. This was the Academy’s first inspection under the new framework and one which solidifies its reputation as one of the best schools in the area.

The Sir Robert Woodard Academy has long been recognised as a school on an upward trajectory and this report is a formal testament to years of improving results and a celebration of the hard work put in by staff, students and the wider community. Now consistently oversubscribed, the Academy is recognised by inspectors as a "warm and welcoming place where pupils truly thrive."

Principal Mr Scanlon said: “Of all the lines in our Ofsted report the simple sentence “ Pupils are happy” is the one that gives me the most satisfaction. Our students are on the whole a joy to work with. They are generous, kind, inclusive and optimistic. The description of  students in the media and elsewhere has swung too far into the negative and it simply isn’t an accurate reflection of the incredible students that we see everyday. I look forward to sharing the report with our cohort and that it serves as a reminder of their incredible potential.” 

Key Highlights from the Report

The Academy achieved a "Strong standard", defined as practice where leaders are working above expected levels, across four key categories:

  •  Attendance and Behaviour: Pupils manage their own conduct "extremely well" and lessons are "calm and purposeful".

  •  Inclusion: Leaders are "wholly committed" to ensuring every pupil can excel, with highly effective systems to support disadvantaged students and those with SEND.

  •  Leadership and Governance: Leaders are "consistently ambitious" and meticulous in removing barriers to student wellbeing.

Personal Development and Wellbeing: Students benefit from a "rich and wide set of experiences," including international trips and visits to Parliament, preparing them "extremely well for life in modern Britain".

In W6, the Academy’s sixth form, a culture of high ambition was recognised with Ofsted noting that an "increasing proportion" of students are securing offers from aspirational universities with pupils from the class of 2024 and 2025 now studying at St Andrews, Durham, Cardiff, Sussex, Southampton, Bath, and Loughborough to name a few. Graduates have also progressed to high-level apprenticeships with global giants like Apple and top-tier accountancy firms.

Mr Scanlon Commented: “W6 has quietly become the number one destination for our students over the last few years. The rich, personalised experience is second to none and our sixth formers serve as an inspiration to the rest of the cohort of the impact of a transformational education. We look forward to the continued expansion of W6 in the years ahead.”