Dear Parents and Carers,

I am pleased to share the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection at Gatehouse Primary Academy, which took place in February 2026 under Ofsted’s new inspection framework.

I am proud that the report recognises many strengths of our school, particularly in personal development, inclusion and pupil wellbeing, while also clearly identifying areas that we will continue to develop.

Inspectors judged our personal development and wellbeing provision as meeting a strong standard. They recognised the high‑quality programme in place from the early years, noting that pupils feel safe, included and valued. Strong relationships, effective pastoral support and clear expectations were highlighted as helping pupils develop confidence, self‑worth and positive attitudes to learning.

The report also recognises Gatehouse as an inclusive school. Inspectors noted that staff understand pupils’ individual needs well and act swiftly to remove barriers to learning, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils. Attendance and behaviour were judged to meet the expected standard, with pupils described as respectful, well supported and confident that staff help them resolve any concerns.

Inspectors also praised the rich range of opportunities available beyond the classroom, including performances, sporting festivals, residential trips, enrichment days and leadership roles. These experiences were recognised as having a positive impact on pupils’ confidence, aspirations and wider development.

The inspection took place during a period of significant change, both nationally with the introduction of Ofsted’s new framework and within the school itself following leadership changes. Under the new framework, schools are no longer given a single one‑word overall judgement, and there is no direct comparison to previous inspections. Instead, each area is evaluated separately against nationally agreed standards as a secure fit and not best fit.

In line with this, the report identifies areas where further improvement is needed. Inspectors highlighted the importance of continuing to strengthen pupils’ foundational skills, particularly in writing (handwriting, spelling and punctuation) and number facts. While recent actions are beginning to have a positive impact, these improvements now need time to embed consistently. The report also identifies the need to continue developing how teaching is adapted to pupils’ starting points so that all pupils are well supported and appropriately challenged.

Importantly, inspectors recognised that leaders have an honest and accurate understanding of the school, have already taken purposeful action, and are fully committed to continuing improvement. There is a strong foundation in place on which to build. A key aspect of the new framework is the validation of a school’s self‑assessment.

I would like to thank our pupils, staff and families for their continued support. The report reflects Gatehouse as a school where children feel safe, cared for and included, and we remain fully focused on securing the best possible outcomes for every child.

Yours sincerely,
Jason Stephens
Head of School
Gatehouse Primary Academy