School transforms Ofsted rating from Special Measures to Outstanding

A school is celebrating an outstanding rating from Ofsted three years after it was put in special measures.

Beddington Park Academy, in Mallison Road, Sutton, received the top rating after an inspection on October 10 – the first time since it joined STEP Academy Trust in 2020.

Ofsted commended the school for its quality of education, support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as well as the behaviour and attitudes of pupils. 

When Beddington Park joined STEP Academy Trust, it had been put in special measures.

If the school inspectors judge a school to be inadequate, it is be placed in special measures, which means it is failing to provide pupils with an acceptable standard of education and not showing the capacity to make improvements needed.

But, over the past three years the school said it transformed its curriculum, teaching and prioritised the needs of pupils.

In its October report, the inspectors also praised the schools “rich extra-curricular activities” and the “high expectations” of every pupil.

Maz Mukhtar, the head teacher at Beddington Park Academy, said: “This extraordinary Ofsted result is a testament to our incredible staff at Beddington Park, who go above and beyond for our pupils every day and have worked incredibly hard.

“It is also a reflection of our wonderful school community, our pupils and their families have been with us all the way throughout this journey of improvement, and it is a privilege to work with, and for, them.”

Pictured top: From left, Freya Williams, Isaac De-Lisser, Tiana Smith – members of the Beddington Park Pupil Parliament (Picture: Beddington Park Academy)