A WINKLEBURY school is celebrating moving from an ‘inadequate’ Ofsted inspection to its first ‘good’ report.

The Ashwood Academy, formerly the Ashwood Centre, had been rated as ‘inadequate’ by the education watchdog, but after an inspection at the end of June, the school has been upgraded to ‘good’.

The school, which had 19 pupils on its roll at the time of the inspection on June 28 and 29, provides alternative education for young people in the Basingstoke area who require additional behavioural, emotional, or medical support.

The school, in Ashwood Way, is a Catch22 Multi Academies Trust-run pupil referral unit, which opened in 2014, after the school previously on the site was put in to special measures.

Since opening, the school has worked with 228 young people who have been excluded from mainstream education, supporting their academic and pastoral development until they are able move back into mainstream education.

David Moran, headteacher, said: “I am really pleased that inspectors have recognised all the excellent work that goes on here. I have a truly dedicated staff team. We have been ably supported by Catch22’s fresh approach to education and our colleagues within Basingstoke and the local authority who have supported us in raising standards.

“We have a clear vision of how we believe Ashwood Academy can work collaboratively to improve both education in Basingstoke, and outcomes for our students.”

The Ofsted report read: “Teachers are adept at planning well for pupils, including those with low social and academic starting points. Pupils engage in learning and make strong progress. Pupils from low starting points make good and sometimes rapid progress in English and mathematics.

“Pupils feel safe as they develop trusting relationships with each other and the adults who care for them."

The report outlined areas for improvement including that the school’s website needs to comply with Department for Education guidelines and its curriculum should be further developed.