Samuel Ward Academy
| Type | Secondary / Academy converter |
| Age Range | 11-18 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Chalkstone Way Haverhill Suffolk CB9 0LD |
| Phone | 01440761511 |
| Reference Number | 136322 |
Samuel Ward Academy has made significant improvements since its last inspection, moving from a previous grade of requires improvement to a good rating overall. The school is characterized by a warm and welcoming environment where staff genuinely care for their students. Pupils have access to strong support systems for both learning and well-being, demonstrating respect towards each other and their teachers. The leadership team works closely with governors and the trust, effectively addressing challenges faced, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 1152 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 50.52%
Girls: 49.48% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 17.4% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 14.2% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 22.6 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 95 | 107 | 202 |
| 8 | 92 | 116 | 208 |
| 9 | 111 | 106 | 217 |
| 10 | 105 | 91 | 196 |
| 11 | 107 | 90 | 197 |
| 12 | 38 | 32 | 70 |
| 13 | 34 | 28 | 62 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 72.8% |
| White, Other | 7.7% |
| Unclassified | 3.6% |
| Mixed, Other | 3.3% |
| Indian | 2.5% |
| African | 2.1% |
| White & Asian | 1.8% |
| Asian, Other | 1.6% |
| White & Black (African) | 0.6% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 0.5% |
| Caribbean | 0.3% |
| Pakistani | 0.3% |
| Irish | 0.1% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| > Quality of education | Good |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Good |
| > Sixth Form Provision | Good |
| Last Report Date | 01 Nov 2022 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 01 Nov 2022 | School inspection: |
| 06 Mar 2019 | Full inspection: |
| 09 Oct 2012 | Full inspection: |
| 14 Feb 2012 | Academy conversion letter |
| 15 Mar 2011 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 17 Sep 2008 | Full inspection: |
| Previously as Samuel Ward Arts and Technology College | |
| 17 Sep 2008 | Full inspection: |
| 21 May 2008 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 21 May 2008 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 19 Oct 2005 | Full inspection: |
| 19 Oct 2005 | Full inspection: |
| 22 Nov 1999 | Full inspection |
| 22 Nov 1999 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- The school has a supportive environment that fosters pupil well-being.
- Pupils respect each other and staff, contributing to a positive atmosphere.
- The curriculum is ambitious and well-planned for all pupils, including those with SEND.
- Leaders and staff provide high-quality professional development to enhance teaching.
- There is a strong focus on personal development and a well-structured PSHE curriculum.
- The school’s careers program prepares pupils well for their future opportunities.
Areas for Improvement
- Some teachers do not adapt lessons effectively for pupils with SEND, impacting their achievement.
Attainment 8 Score
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
- English
- Maths
- 3 subjects from qualifications that count towards the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), like sciences, language and history
- 3 more GCSE qualifications (including EBacc subjects) or technical awards from a list approved by the Department for Education
Each grade a pupil gets is assigned a point score from 9 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest). These scores are added up, with English and maths counted twice.
| School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|
| 43.8 |
GCSE Results
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42.1% | ||
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (or A-C) | 52.8% |
Attainment 8 Score
Note: Exam results were not published in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic.
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
Sample
UnlockGCSE Results
Note: Exam results were not published in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic.
Sample
UnlockPoints
| Points | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Points | 21.07 | ||
| Average Points (best 3) | 20.91 |
Grades
| School | Local | Nationwide | |
| Average Grade | D | C+ | C+ |
| Average Grade (best 3) | D | C+ | C+ |
| Percentage | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students getting AAB or better | 3% |
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| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 90 | 9 |
| Third Preference | 26 | 2 |
| From another Local Authority | 10 | 3 |
Previous Years
Sample
UnlockDestinations after GCSE's
| Staying in Education | |
| > Further Education | |
| > School Sixth Form | |
| > Sixth Form College | |
| > Other Education | |
| Apprenticeships | |
| Employment | |
| Not in education or employment | |
| Unknown |
| Name | Distance |
|
Westfield Primary Academy
Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 0BW |
0.28 miles |
|
New Cangle Community Primary School
Chapple Drive, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 0DU |
0.57 miles |
|
Place Farm Primary Academy
Camps Road, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 8HF |
0.78 miles |
|
Coupals Primary Academy
Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 0LB |
0.84 miles |
|
St Felix Roman Catholic Primary School, Haverhill
School Lane, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 9DE |
1.19 miles |
|
Burton End Primary Academy
School Lane, Burton End, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 9DE |
1.2 miles |
|
Clements Primary Academy
Greenfields Way, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 8NJ |
1.32 miles |
|
Kedington Primary Academy
Church Walk, Kedington, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7QZ |
1.74 miles |
|
Thurlow Voluntary Controlled Primary School
The Street, Little Thurlow, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7HY |
2.96 miles |
|
Barnardiston Hall Preparatory School
Barnardiston, Haverhill, CB9 7TG |
3.33 miles |
|
Steeple Bumpstead Primary School
Bower Hall Drive, Steeple Bumpstead, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7ED |
3.38 miles |
|
Castle Camps Church of England (Controlled) Primary School
Church Lane, Castle Camps, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB21 4TH |
3.42 miles |
|
Hundon Community Primary School
North Street, Hundon, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 8EE |
4.03 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Broadlands Hall
Little Wratting, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 7UA |
0.76 miles |
|
Churchill Special Free School
Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 0LB |
0.85 miles |
|
Castle Manor Academy
Eastern Avenue, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 9JE |
0.87 miles |
|
Stoke College
Ashen Lane, Sudbury, CO10 8JE |
4.39 miles |