Alfreton’s David Nieper Academy is celebrating after receiving its first ever ‘good’ Ofsted rating.

The academy has announced that it was was graded ‘good’ in all areas of the Ofsted inspection framework and say that the inspection found that:

Pupils are happy and proud to attend this school. The school’s ethos of ‘aspire, endeavour, succeed’ shines through in all corners of the school. It is a warm, welcoming and professional community. Pupils feel safe and well looked after. Everyone can be themselves.

Headteacher Dr Kathryn Hobbs commented: “This is a wonderful accolade recognising the tremendous hard work and efforts of all of the pupils, staff, Governors and Trustees since opening as David Nieper Academy in September 2016 along with recognition of the fantastic support given by all the parents and the local community who have support the school on its recent journey.

“The academy had rated itself as good and was very much looking forward to Ofsted visiting so that the academy could show off all of the developments, progress and hard work over the six years and have the external validation of the internal judgements.”

In 2016, local businessman Christopher Nieper OBE stepped in to help support the town’s school by establishing the David Nieper Education Trust. A brand new academy was created offering local young people a school with both academic rigour, but also privileged links with local businesses and a focus on employability.

Ofsted noted:

Pupils’ learning goes beyond the formal curriculum. They have opportunities to be leaders and to contribute to the school. Careers education is a strength. Leaders focus on pupils having the knowledge and skills to thrive in their work lives. Pupils learn ’employability attributes’. They take part in ‘enterprise week’ and ’employer partner challenges’. There is a well-designed programme for personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE).

Dr Hobbs continued: “I am delighted that after six years since opening as David Nieper Academy we have transformed the school into the wonderful and caring learning community that it now is.

“I am immensely grateful for the support, hard work and commitment of my colleagues who have made this journey possible.

“I am also very grateful to the parents, particularly the ones who chose the academy back in 2016, who trusted us to create the school that their children deserved. Thank you for your trust and support.

“Lastly to the pupils, well done of displaying our motto of aspire, endeavour and succeed, you are amazing!”

Dr Hobbs also thanked parents for taking the time to complete the Ofsted questionnaire which revealed:

• 92% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their children were happy at the school.
• 94% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their children were safe at the school.
• 90% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their children do well at the school.
• 99% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their children can take part in clubs and activities.
• 92% of parents would recommend this school to other parents.

Mr Nieper OBE, chair of the board of trustees at the David Nieper Education Trust commented: “It has been a privilege to witness and share in the incredible journey of the academy, Dr Hobbs and her team have done a phenomenal job.

“In 2016 it was our mission to create a school of which the whole community could be proud, and I think we have done just that. We endeavour to carry on making the school even better, every day, for our students.

“In 2019, after less than three years the school moved up one Ofsted rating and now, even after having had a pandemic to deal with, we have hit our next target and are delighted with our ‘good’ result – we are looking forward to welcoming Ofsted for another visit in the not-too-distant future.”

Key report findings

• “Pupils are happy and proud to attend this school. The school’s ethos of ‘aspire, endeavour, succeed’ shines through in all corners of the school. It is a warm, welcoming and professional community. Pupils feel safe and well looked after. Everyone can be themselves.”
• “Pupils study an ambitious curriculum designed to equip them to thrive in work and life…. Pupils benefit from strong careers education.”
• “Pupils follow the ‘DNA way’ that sets high expectations of pupils’ conduct. Pupils are glad that staff know them well and support them if things go wrong.”
• “Pupils can discover their talents and skills through lessons and extra-curricular activities. They have enterprise lessons and learn ‘employability attributes’. They can choose from over fifty clubs including archaeology club, samba band and sports clubs. Leaders make sure that all pupils can go to London. Pupils learn to celebrate their home community and to take advantage of the possibilities that lie beyond.”
• “Leaders have high ambition for every pupil. They are also ambitious for the community they serve. Leaders and staff work with passion and determination. They have focused on getting the curriculum right for their pupils. They have created conditions for effective learning through strong pastoral care and clear routines.”
• “Leaders have high expectations of all pupils in the school…. The curriculum reflects leaders’ ambitions for pupils.”
• “The provision for vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is a strength. Leaders make sure that staff have the advice they need to support pupils in the classroom. Pupils receive high-quality support from a team of well-trained teaching assistants.”
• “Reading is a priority for this school. Teachers use assessment well to identify pupils who need support to improve their reading. These pupils receive effective support from well-trained staff.”
• “Pupils’ learning goes beyond the formal curriculum. They have opportunities to be leaders and to contribute to the school. Careers education is a strength. Leaders focus on pupils having the knowledge and skills to thrive in their work lives. Pupils learn ‘employability attributes.’ They take part in ‘enterprise week’ and ‘employer partner challenges.’ There is a well-designed programme for personal, social, health and citizenship education (PSHCE).”
• “Leaders in the sixth form have made sure that the courses they offer match students’ needs. Students benefit from good support when choosing their next steps.”
• “Staff training focuses on improving teaching and support for pupils. Staff value the training. Staff said that leaders, including trustees and governors, consider their workload and well-being. Governance is strong and has played a key role in the improvement of the school.”
• “There is a culture of vigilance and care in this school. Safeguarding leaders know pupils and their families well. They are knowledgeable about local risks to pupils’ welfare. Leaders have strong links with external agencies. They work tenaciously with them to secure the support that pupils need.”

Ofsted Report David Nieper Academy – September 2022