The Academy of St Nicholas, a joint Catholic and Church of England academy in Garston, is celebrating after being awarded a rating of ‘Good’ by Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills).

The secondary school was visited for a two-day inspection in December 2022, under the new Ofsted framework. All four key judgement areas were examined and rated as ‘Good’ which include: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

Inspectors acknowledged how leaders had taken the school on a “journey of improvement” whilst also recognising that “they remain ambitious for it”.

The report found that “pupils at this school, including those in the sixth form, benefit from a broad and ambitious curriculum”.

Ofsted also praised the teaching staff, stating: “Teachers have secure subject knowledge and have high expectations of what pupils and students should achieve.”

The academy, part of the All Saints Multi Academy Trust, which is located on Horrocks Avenue, is led by headteacher Mrs Jeniffer Sing who joined during the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

The Academy of St Nicholas took over the former Enterprise South Liverpool Academy site in 2017. In the 13-year history of a school occupying the site, it is the first time it has achieved a ‘Good’ Ofsted in all areas.

Ofsted recognised that Mrs Sing, together with her senior leadership team, has changed the school for the better, adding: “Since the arrival of the new headteacher, leaders have transformed the curriculum.”

Commenting on All Saints Sixth Form College, which is based within the school, Ofsted reported positively: “In the sixth form, there is a well-chosen and broad range of subjects for students to choose from.”

Adding: “Teachers of sixth form students are particularly skilled. As a result, students achieve well.”

Speaking about the judgement, Mrs Sing says: “We are completely over the moon by the outcome and a big thank you to staff, students, families, governors, trustees, and the local community who have been very supportive over the years.

“I am extremely proud of everything that we have been able to achieve, and together with All Saints Multi Academy Trust, we look forward to continuing the academy’s strong upward trajectory. Our students deserve the best quality of education and there are no limits to what they can achieve here.”

“It is fantastic to be praised by Ofsted and rated as ‘Good’ in all areas which supports our pledge to help all our students flourish and thrive and to inspire the wider community. The Academy of St Nicholas is now firmly on the map in South Liverpool as a secondary school of choice.”

Maria Eagle, Labour MP for Garston and Halewood, adds: “Huge congratulations to The Academy of St Nicholas which has received a rating of ‘Good’ from its December 2022 Ofsted inspection.

“Headteacher Jeniffer Sing and her team deserve credit for raising standards across the academy, so local families have a ‘Good’ rated secondary and sixth form offering in the area.

“I have seen first-hand when visiting the school, the positive atmosphere and aspirational learning culture that the inspectors have recognised as ‘a journey of improvement’, as well as the care and support provided to all pupils.

“I want to say well done to everyone who has worked so hard to gain this recognition. It is fantastic to see Mrs Sing and her team have already made great strides in improving the school and remain ambitious to keep moving forward.”

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