The City Academy, Hackney is outstanding, says Ofsted

City Academy, Hackney, has been given top marks by school inspectors, who said high expectations were enhancing students’ life chances there.

The City Academy in Homerton Row, which opened in 2009 and replaced Homerton Boys’ Technology College, was judged ‘outstanding’ in every category in its first full Ofsted inspection last week.

The report states the school has “created an environment with opportunities to excel in a safe, inspiring and enriching atmosphere.”

Principal Mark Emmerson said he was incredibly pleased to see staff and students’ hard work recognised in the report: “It is an important milestone on the journey to the ultimate aim of delivering outstanding results and academic excellence for every student in the academy,” he added.

Ofsted recognised the impetus for excellence is provided by the academy’s explicit expectation of high standards and its view that failure is not an option.

Inspectors observed students enter the school with below average levels of attainment, but make rapid progress, so that by the end of year 8 they are working at levels twice the national average.

“Teachers meticulously plan lessons to ensure that the individual learning needs are met and potential underachievement addressed,” said the report.

Sponsors the City of London Corporation and accountancy firm KPMG provided the early direction for the academy, and Ofsted said that both organisations “remain fully committed to the achievement and well being of students.”