Leigh Academies Trust is delighted to announce that Ebbsfleet Academy has received exceptional feedback following its recent Ofsted inspection on 3rd and 4th December 2024. The inspection confirms that the academy’s performance has improved significantly across all areas since its last inspection, with inspectors planning a return for a graded inspection.
The ungraded inspection highlighted the academy’s commitment to its vision: “Believe, Achieve, Succeed,” which underpins a culture of aspiration, inclusion, and success. Inspectors praised the academy’s efforts to create a supportive and welcoming environment, with many staff and pupils stating that “the school feels like a family.”
“Leaders have high expectations of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, the achievement of pupils, including those in the sixth form, has improved over time,” noted the inspection report. The academy’s International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy was commended for encouraging pupils to be open-minded, reflective, and confident in their learning.
Gurjit Kaur Shergill, Principal of Ebbsfleet Academy, commented:
“At Ebbsfleet Academy, we are deeply committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure every student receives an outstanding education and achieves exceptional things. We believe there are no excuses for not reaching your absolute potential, and this recognition affirms the incredible efforts of our staff, students, and wider community. Our ethos, rooted in the values of ‘Be Ready, Work Hard, Be Nice,’ is about building an ambitious and supportive environment where every child can thrive academically, grow in confidence, and develop the skills they need to succeed in the modern world. This inspection confirms that we are on the right path to be judged outstanding when inspectors return.”
The report praised the academy’s ambitious and engaging curriculum, stating that pupils are “able to talk about what they learn with confidence.” Inspectors highlighted examples of outstanding subject delivery, such as Year 10 students explaining nanoparticles in science and Year 12 computing students demonstrating website coding projects.
Ebbsfleet Academy’s commitment to inclusivity and personal development was also celebrated. “The support that students in the sixth form receive enables them to progress to a range of increasingly ambitious destinations,” inspectors noted. Pupils were commended for their exemplary behaviour, leadership roles, and participation in a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, including sports, e-sports, and community projects.
Simon Beamish, CEO of Leigh Academies Trust, said:
“I am immensely proud of the progress made by Ebbsfleet Academy under the exceptional leadership of Gurjit Kaur Shergill and her team. This recognition from Ofsted is a testament to their tireless efforts to create a culture of excellence and ambition. We are confident that the next inspection will confirm the academy’s status as outstanding.”
The academy’s robust safeguarding measures were highlighted, with inspectors noting that pupils feel safe and supported. Attendance has improved significantly since the pandemic, reflecting the academy’s relentless focus on pupil well-being.