Edgar Wood Academy celebrates first GCSE cohort as Ofsted praises school’s transformation

Sunday, 5 July 2026 13:47

By David Murphy

Edgar Wood Academy is celebrating a major milestone after its first ever Year 11 students completed their GCSEs just weeks after the school received a highly positive Ofsted report.

The Middleton academy opened in September 2021 with a single Year 7 cohort and has now welcomed its first GCSE leavers.

The founding students have spent the past five years growing alongside the school, helping establish its culture and traditions as new year groups joined each September.

Inspectors who visited the academy in June 2026 praised its calm and purposeful environment, saying leaders’ “deliberate and thoughtful actions to establish a calm and orderly environment have paid dividends”. They also described classrooms as “typically calm and orderly places where students can get on with the job of learning”.

The report found that students feel safe, listened to and supported, while many told inspectors that their teachers are “the best thing about school”. Inspectors also said students are “increasingly proud to be part of this school community”.

Year 11 student Harriett said, “I would describe my time at Edgar Wood as really positive and welcoming.”

Fellow student Josiah added, “My teachers have supported me a lot. They’ve taken time out to help me study and revise.”

Headteacher Paul Jones said, “We are absolutely delighted with this report. It is a fantastic recognition of the hard work, dedication and ambition shown every day by our staff, students and families. As a relatively new school, we are incredibly proud of how far we have come in such a short space of time.

“What makes this especially meaningful is that our first cohort has been with us every step of the way. They haven’t just attended Edgar Wood Academy – they have helped create it. Seeing them complete their GCSEs while Ofsted recognises the culture we’ve built together is a proud moment for everyone connected with the school.

“It is particularly pleasing that inspectors recognised the environment we have worked so hard to establish – one where every child is known, valued and supported to succeed.”

The inspection also highlighted the academy’s support for pupils’ wellbeing. Inspectors found that children “are made safer and feel safe”, “feel listened to and supported” and “trust that staff will not give up on them”. The report also praised the school’s work to improve reading and mathematics and the support available for pupils facing barriers to learning.

Students were recognised for contributing to school life through leadership roles including anti bullying ambassadors and behaviour mentors. Inspectors said this helps create “a culture of tolerance and support, in which students are free to be themselves and bullying is not tolerated”.

Richard Ronksley, Chief Executive Officer of Altus Education Partnership, said, “This moment represents far more than an inspection outcome. It reflects five years of dedication from staff, families and, above all, our students, who have embraced the opportunity to grow alongside a brand new school. We are immensely proud of the kindness, resilience and ambition they demonstrate every day and grateful to our parents and carers for the trust they place in us.”

Inspectors also found staff were “overwhelmingly positive about their experience of working at the school”, recognising the collaborative culture that has developed since the academy first opened.