A SECONDARY school led by a head teacher who grew up in the local community has shown remarkable improvement to receive a ‘good’ rating from Government inspectors.

Bishop Barrington Academy, in Bishop Auckland, has been transformed since being taken over by the Advance Learning Partnership (ALP) in September 2021, when it was a school ‘requiring improvement’.

Grant Sowerby, who grew up in the town, was appointed as Head Teacher when ALP took over, and the school has now been rated ‘good’ in all areas following the latest Ofsted inspection.

More than half of the children at Bishop Barrington Academy come from disadvantaged backgrounds but the new Ofsted report praises the school for “providing pupils with a comprehensive range of opportunities to enrich their education”.

Head Teacher Grant Sowerby with Student President Mia Hicks (right) and Vice President Gabriel Egglestone (left)Head Teacher Grant Sowerby with Student President Mia Hicks (right) and Vice President Gabriel Egglestone (left) (Image: Chris Barron)

The report adds that pupils are welcoming, learn effectively, and enjoy playing in the company of peers.

“The school supports pupils to become positive members of the local community,” says the report, adding that there are high expectations for pupils’ academic achievement.

The foundation for the school’s improvement has been the introduction of a set of standards, called ‘The Barrington Way’.

“The Barrington Way is how we do things here, and it’s created a fantastic culture throughout the school,” said Mr Sowerby. “It’s all about positivity and being part of a team – if you wear the badge, you’re one of us, and we’re there for each other.”

The Ofsted report also highlights the strength of the school’s approach to special educational needs (SEN), with the establishment of an Enhanced Learning Provision unit for the most vulnerable pupils.

Mr Sowerby, who still lives in Bishop Auckland, is passionate about the school being immersed in the local community and pupils understanding the town’s history.

The school has a close relationship with The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity striving to establish Bishop Auckland was a cultural destination. In their first week at the school, pupils are taken to the town centre to complete activities relating to what it means to be part of Bishop Auckland.

“We’ve come a long way since September 2021, and this Ofsted report is an endorsement of the remarkable progress that’s been made,” said Mr Sowerby.

“Everything we do is for the benefit of the young people in our care, and I’m enormously proud of what’s been achieved by the students and staff. It means so much to me because I grew up close to the school and I took this job because I want to make a difference.

“We’ve got a lot to celebrate but the school journey isn’t over. We’re not going to stand still, we’re going to continue moving forward, with the aim of becoming an ‘outstanding’ school.”