North East Essex Co-operative Academy given 'good Ofsted report

The North East Essex Co-operative Academy (NEECA) is part of the Keys Co-operative Academy Trust and received a ‘good’ grading from Ofsted.

The school caters for pupils who have had "significant disruption" to their education, and pupils are referred by local authorities.

The secondary school site is based in Walnut Tree Way, the primary school site is in Turner Road, and there is a specialist hub in Jaywick Lane, Clacton.

School - another image of the secondary school site at North East Essex Co-operative Academy (Image: North East Essex Co-operative Academy)

A report has been published after a two-day inspection took place in July.

The school was rated 'good' for overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Its early years provision has not been rated due to “insufficient evidence”.

The report says pupils are “positive about their experience and the amazing staff at the academy”.

Warm welcome - the entrance at North East Essex Co-operative Academy (Image: North East Essex Co-operative Academy)It said: “For many it is another opportunity to learn so they can attain their next steps in education, employment or training.

“Staff help pupils reflect on and address the barriers that have stood in their way of securing an education previously.

“The school tries its best to offer the educational experience of mainstream schools. This is to help pupils reintegrate back into education.”

The curriculum is “ambitious” and there is a consistent quality of teaching across all of the academy’s sites.

Classroom - North East Essex Co-operative Academy (Image: North East Essex Co-operative Academy)But there is an “inconsistency with the development of a reading culture across the school”, with some older pupils having “not yet formed independent reading habits”.

Headteacher Jo Cookson said: “Our mission at NEECA is that 'every child is known and known well' so the right help and support can be put in place for every young person who is a part of our school community.

“Since the previous inspection we have been focused on the key areas that were highlighted and I'm please this report reflects the high-quality provision offered across both our primary and secondary schools.

Proud - headteacher Jo Cookson (Image: North East Essex Co-operative Academy) “Staff work tirelessly to support all our young people and help them navigate the next part of their journey.

“We are all extremely proud. Achieving this is a huge team effort and I am very proud of everyone.

“We will continue to work hard to improve the life chances of some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities and help them lead safe and successful lives.”

Academy trust chief exec Lydia Sherborne said: “As an alternative provision school we pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our young people and their families that enable us to offer them a renewed opportunity to engage successfully with learning.

“I'm particularly delighted that the report has captured the strengths of our dedicated teams of staff at both secondary and primary, celebrating our expertise underpinned by our co-operative values.”