Parkway Academy in King’s Lynn has been praised by Ofsted for making “significant improvement” since joining Eastern Multi Academy Trust.
The school, formerly known as Howard Junior School, was inspected on October 6 and 7, almost three years after joining the trust in December 2023.
Under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, Parkway was judged to be operating at the Strong standard for leadership and governance, with achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and personal development and wellbeing all meeting the Expected standard.
Safeguarding standards were also found to be met.
Inspectors said: “Leaders’ actions since the school became part of the trust have brought about significant improvement. Confidence and belief within the school community have been rebuilt.”
The report added that improvement had happened “at great pace”, with school and trust leaders praised for having a clear understanding of what was working well and where further development was needed.
Ofsted also described a school where “happy faces, hard work and high expectations are the norm”, with warm relationships between pupils and staff.
Inspectors found that pupils behave well and learn in a safe and positive environment, with teaching having improved significantly.
The report said pupils now receive high-quality teaching and are increasingly well prepared for secondary school, while pupils with special educational needs and disabilities benefit from support tailored to their individual needs.
Ofsted also highlighted the school’s work with disadvantaged pupils, children who speak English as an additional language and young carers, alongside its pastoral provision and support for pupils’ emotional wellbeing.
Paul Shanks, Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Multi Academy Trust, said: “This report represents an important milestone for Parkway Academy and the entire community it serves.
“When the school joined our Trust, there was a clear need for rapid and sustained improvement. We made a commitment to pupils, families and staff that we would rebuild confidence, raise standards and create a school where every child could thrive.”
Principal Ben Paull said: “This report is a testament to what can be achieved when staff, pupils and families work together with a shared sense of purpose. I am immensely proud of the progress Parkway Academy has made and of the commitment shown by everyone in our community.”
The report does, however, identify areas where further work is required.
Ofsted said there was still more to do to improve outcomes by the end of Key Stage 2 and asked leaders to continue embedding high-quality teaching consistently across all subjects.
Inspectors also said the school’s renewed approach to behaviour should become fully established so pupils further develop their independence, self-discipline and commitment to learning.
Mr Paull added: “We are proud of how far we have come, but we are equally focused on the future. We remain determined to provide the very best education for every child, and this report gives us a strong platform on which to build.”
Parkway Academy officially adopted its new name in September, having previously been known as Howard Junior School.
