A Norfolk school caught up in allegations that its academy sponsor was tipped off about Ofsted inspections has been formally graded ‘good’.

In a report praising Great Yarmouth Primary Academy (GYPA) for its “positive atmosphere of endeavour and high expectations”, the education watchdog said principal Dr Craig Avieson was an “exceptional” leader.

Inspectors said the Inspiration Trust-sponsored school had outstanding leadership and management, an absolute focus on reading, writing and mathematics, fully committed governors and well-behaved, hard-working pupils. Earlier this year, it was alleged that GYPA – along with Ormiston Victory Academy and Thetford Academy – had been given more than the usual half-day notice ahead of inspections in May and June. Both Ofsted and the trust, led by Dame Rachel de Souza, denied there had been a tip-off and an internal Ofsted inquiry later concluded there had been no wrongdoing. The new GYPA report, published on October 7, follows the latest inspection which took place on September 22 and 23.

In it, the Dickens Avenue school is applauded for “the expectation that all pupils can and will be successful”, for an improving quality of teaching and the extended school day which “ensures pupils receive exceptionally broad learning experiences”.

Inspectors said the academy was not yet ‘outstanding’ for two reasons.

They said: “Progress in some classes is slower than in others. This is usually because the work is too easy for most able pupils and too difficult for less able pupils. Consequently, at such times, these pupils make fewer gains in their learning,” adding that “not enough pupils are reaching the higher levels of attainment at the end of key stage 2, particularly in reading and mathematics”.

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