Ofsted Reports

Coppice Academy Achieves "Outstanding" Rating in Latest Ofsted Inspection, Marking a Significant Leap Forward

Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK – February 26, 2025 – Coppice Academy, a valued member of the Shaw Education Trust, is celebrating a remarkable achievement, securing an "Outstanding" rating in all areas in its recent Ofsted inspection conducted on February 4th and 5th, 2025. This marks a significant leap from the school's previous "Good" rating in 2017 and reflects the dedication and hard work of the leadership, staff, students, and the wider school community.

From Good to Outstanding: A Journey of Continuous Improvement

The 2017 Ofsted report acknowledged the school's good quality of education and positive relationships, highlighting the positive impact of the newly appointed Principal, Mrs. Diane Ahearn. The report noted the need for greater consistency in teaching quality and the embedding of new systems and procedures. Since then, Coppice Academy has diligently addressed these areas, resulting in the exceptional outcomes recognised in the latest inspection.

"A Very Special School"

The 2025 Ofsted report paints a vibrant picture of Coppice Academy, describing it as "a very special school" where "Students are surrounded by care, hope and ambition." Inspectors applauded the school's ability to support students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to become "excited and ambitious learners."

Key Highlights from the 2025 Ofsted Report:

Quality of Education: Outstanding – The school has developed a demanding curriculum across all subjects that sets out the important knowledge that Students should know and remember.

Behaviour and Attitudes: Outstanding – Positive relationships underpin the school community, with calm and purpose permeating all classes.

Personal Development: Outstanding – An impressive range of school clubs enrich pupils’ hobbies and ambitions, while trips to places like the National Memorial Arboretum provide moments for reflection and appreciation of local history.

Leadership and Management: Outstanding – Inspirational leaders and caring staff combine to get the best outcomes for pupils, supported by a caring and attentive multi-academy trust.

A Testament to Dedication and Collaboration

Diane Ahearn, Principal of Coppice Academy "We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of this inspection. The ethos of our school encourages students to have a can-do approach that supports them to build resilience and confidence in a safe environment. We reward and applaud positive achievements at all levels and encourage students to have a positive attitude to changes and challenges. Students and staff are tremendously proud to attend the school where there is a strong collegiate culture. The OFSTED report truly reflects the passion, dedication, and relentless hard work of our staff, the incredible students, and the support of our parents and the Shaw Education Trust.

Kerry Inscker, Deputy CEO of Shaw Education Trust, added, “We are incredibly proud of the staff and students at The Coppice Academy, which is one of the founding schools of Shaw Education Trust. They achieve remarkable things every day and we are so happy that Ofsted have recognised that this is a very special place to learn and work.”

About Shaw Education Trust

The Shaw Education Trust is a multi-academy trust that is committed to providing high-quality education for all its students. The Trust supports its schools through strong leadership, dedicated staff, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Ofsted Reports

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