A Scunthorpe secondary school has been rated Outstanding across the board by Ofsted.

Inspectors said there is “no limit on success” at Outwood Academy Foxhills, part of Outwood Grange Academies Trust and that there are no areas for improvement.

In the last inspection by Ofsted, in 2019, the school was rated Good with Outstanding Leadership and Management. Today’s top grade is therefore not only an improvement in the overall grading but has been achieved under the new inspection framework which started in 2019 and which is seeing far fewer schools rated Outstanding.

Darren Smith, the Lead Principal at Outwood Academy Foxhills, said the achievement was down to the academy’s “excellent team of staff, parents, governors, the support of the academy trust and more importantly our amazing students, all playing their part in making Outwood Academy Foxhills a very special place, day in and day out”.

Ofsted’s report is full of highlights, including that:

• “Staff and pupils at Outwood Academy Foxhills work, learn and excel together. Staff see the uniqueness in every pupil and have the highest of ambitions for all. There is no limit on success at Foxhills.”

• “Leaders, staff and pupils value every minute in school. Pupils excitedly talk about their studies and have a thirst for knowing more. Staff harness the curiosity pupils have in lessons. They challenge pupils to think deeply and reward their efforts.”

• “A culture of celebrating success is present in lessons. Pupils and staff applaud positive contributions in class. Pupils are keen to see who are the ‘classroom champions’ in lessons. At lunchtime pupils happily take part in the ‘chilli challenge’ answering subject-based questions over lunch.”

• “Pupils care about themselves, each other, and school. This is their school and they are proud to say so.”

• “If pupils have worries, they know that there is always someone to talk to. Bullying is not tolerated. When pupils report concerns, staff act quickly to support those involved.”

• “Pupils have a wide range of extra-curricular activities to choose from. These include clubs ranging from sports to journalism. Leaders welcome and encourage all to attend.

• “A tailored curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils is in place. Ambition and high expectations go hand in hand in every subject area. Teachers are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly. Relationships in the school are extremely positive.”

• “Pupils recall their prior learning with ease. Over time, pupils gain greater knowledge. Teachers are skilful at bringing lessons to life.”

• “Leaders have considered innovative ways to help pupils remember important concepts. For example, television screens are on the walls in the physical education changing rooms. While changing, pupils observe footage of elite athletes executing various skills. The screens also highlight to pupils the key skills they will learn, broken down, so they are easy to understand before the lesson starts.”

• “Discussions are part of learning at Foxhills. Whether this is in science debating diffusion or in English discussing the characters in Shakespeare’s play, ‘The Tempest’. Pupils respectfully engage with views and opinions that are different to their own.”

• “Leaders help pupils develop an interest in reading from the very start of school. Pupils who need help to read receive highly effective support. Pupils who speak English as an additional language are also supported skilfully. They make quick progress and, because they can read with increasing fluency, are able to access the full curriculum.”

• “Expectations for behaviour are exceptionally high. Pupils consistently meet the standards set.”

• “A planned ‘Life’ curriculum is in place. As a result, pupils are ready for life in modern Britain. Pupils have a deep understanding of topics ranging from democracy to human rights.”

• “Careers provision is part of pupils’ journey at Foxhills. Planned and deliberate interactions with a wide variety of careers are in place. Pupils leave Foxhills with a career direction and a destination planned.”

• “Staff are incredibly enthusiastic about their work at the school. They believe that leaders care about their well being and are always there to help.”

• “Governors are wholly invested in the school. Their passion is to provide pupils with the best start in life. They successfully support and challenge the principal to achieve this.”

Darren Smith, Lead Principal at Outwood Academy Foxhills, said:

“The entire trust and academy staff body are so delighted to read this superb and well-deserved report of our school. It is without a doubt down to the determination and shared vision of the team here, with our staff, parents, governors and pupils having all played their part. Everyone has the same goal – to make sure our school is true to its vision of putting our students first in order to transform their lives and creating an academy where all students can flourish – the team have worked relentlessly to make that a reality.”

Tracy Motson, the Head of School at Outwood Academy Foxhills, said:

“To be awarded Outstanding in every category with no areas for improvement is not only a great achievement but a clear indicator that the vision held by the trust and the academy is one that is having a real impact on the lives of the young people and community that we serve. We will of course continue to develop and strive to innovate to ensure that our students always get the very best the education system has to offer.”

Sir Martyn Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, said:

“This is a school that truly believes that its children should achieve their full potential thanks to a wonderful culture and by having the highest expectations. I am extremely proud of everyone associated with the academy for this superb outcome. That Ofsted has listed no areas where the school could be better is remarkable.

“Prior to academy sponsorship of the school in 2014 by Outwood Grange Academies Trust, the school had some of the very worst results for students in the country and was placed in Special Measures by Ofsted. So this landmark achievement for the academy and the trust is something to be especially proud of, that we are having such a positive impact for our students and community.”