A BARNSLEY academy is celebrating after securing the highest judgement in its first statutory inspection which is carried out at all Church of England schools.
It’s the latest in a string of successes for Trinity Academy St. Edward’s which opened in 2021 in Eastgate House, a former Barnsley College building in the town centre, and more recently moved to its £25m campus on Keresforth Close, Broadway.
The secondary school, part of Trinity Multi-Academy Trust MAT) underwent the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) which evaluates the impact of a school’s Christian vision on pupil and adult flourishing.
Trinity Academy principal Mark Allen said: “Prior to Christmas we had our first ever SIAMS inspection, this is a statutory inspection that happens to all Church of England schools and looks in depth at how our Christian Vision is lived out, how it impacts our children, staff and community and how well RE is planned, taught and delivered. RE doesn’t get covered by Ofsted and gets covered here.
“We received the J1 outcome which means the inspection found the school is successfully living up to its foundation as a Church school, with its Christian vision effectively enabling pupils and adults to flourish. This is the highest judgement.
“Our Christian Vision is very important to us and the inspector was here for two days and met with children, parents, our chaplain, staff and Trust members. I am dead chuffed for the school and particularly the staff and it is another reflection on what the school is achieving.”
The inspector’s report said: “At Trinity Academy St Edward’s (TASE) the Christian vision guides the life of the school from the foundations up.
“Together leaders and the diocese carefully crafted the vision from the school’s inception. As the school expands the Christian vision also grows and matures. Different aspects of the vision, the Bible verse, parable and values complement one another.
“The core values of Trinity MAT and the Christian values of TASE harmonise effectively. Members of the school community draw on these deep foundations to live wisely and enable each other to be the best they can be. There is a sense of togetherness and belonging, correctly identified by parents and pupils as springing from the vision’s foundations. “This leads to a shared responsibility for one another and their flourishing. Leaders, including governors and directors are informed about the impact of the Christian vision.
“Recently formalised monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the vision is ensuring that pupils and adults are flourishing.”
Back in June 2024, it was announced that Trinity Academy had become the only education setting in Barnsley to receive an outstanding grade in each of Ofsted’s four metrics. It was graded outstanding in quality of education, behaviour, personal development and leadership and management.
The academy also received the Edurio Pupil Choice Award ranking it among the top ten schools across the whole country. The award is based on the results, provided by students nationally, about how happy and looked after they feel within the school environment. The award celebrates exceptional efforts in fostering an environment where pupils can thrive.
