New Sikh school rated ‘outstanding’ after first inspection
This week, Atam Academy, a new Sikh school in East London, was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, the English schools inspector.
A free school in Chadwell Heath, Atam Academy opened in September 2016 and has since become a popular choice for local parents. The schools inspector said that ‘the school’s highly effective leadership team has brought about rapid improvement in a short space of time.’
Following inspections on 15th and 16th May, Ofsted rated the school ‘outstanding’ in all areas, including: effective leadership management; quality of teaching, learning and assessment; personal development, behaviour and welfare; outcome for pupils; and early years provision.
Sulina Piesse, Executive Headteacher said: ‘Everyone is extremely proud of the school and this Ofsted report recognises the high standards that have been achieved in our school. This is a tremendous achievement and is one that the pupils, teachers, parents and the community truly deserves. This judgement is a testament to the hard work of the staff, children, parents and governors over recent years. I am immensely proud to be Executive Headteacher of this incredibly school.’
Mankamal Singh, Chair of Governors, said: ‘As a new school, this is a truly special place for us in our journey. We are humbled and proud to be graded as Outstanding in every area and meet every single part of the outstanding judgement in the Ofsted framework. Atam Academy is a school that will continually strive to move forward. We are outward looking and will take every opportunity to keep driving up standards of teaching and leadership to continue to provide our pupils the very best educational experience.’
The school is the third run by the Khalsa Academies Trust, which also runs Khalsa Secondary Academy in South Buckinghamshire (opened in 2013) and the Khalsa Academy in Wolverhampton (opened in 2015). Nick Singh Kandola, CEO of the Khalsa Academies Trust, said that this latest news meant that ‘all the Trust schools are now rated Outstanding or Good, and which are highly popular with local families and provide excellent standards in academic performance, care and support.’
Denise Shepherd, Director of Education at Khalsa Academies Trust said: ‘This is an excellent achievement for everyone connected to the school. It was hard earned and well deserved. It is truly a collective success story.’
Jas Athwal, Leader of Redbridge Council, responded to the news by tweeting: ‘I know how hard the school teachers, staff, parents and pupils have worked for this result and they all deserve a huge congratulations!’