ESA judged OUTSTANDING in all categories

Following our Ofsted inspection in January, we are proudly delighted that Ofsted concluded ESA is providing an outstanding quality of education and training. In fact, they judged ESA to be outstanding in every category.

We are of course majorly chuffed!  We already knew that ESA is a very special place.  We have been proudly advocating for our unique approach to education and keenly telling all who will listen that we are up to something here; that we are seeing young people engage, connect and find their creative voice; that our outcomes are nationally impressive and empowering; and that our creative arts specialism unlocks something beautiful in our learners… as we have long said, ‘Love Learning, Make Magic’.  

The truth is however, even with all our belief and passion, we have not always felt that ESA has been sufficiently seen or understood in a world where traditional and standardised models of education still persistently dominate.  We have sometimes felt like underappreciated creatives, swimming against the tide… but this now changes.  We are pleased and gratefully encouraged that the Ofsted inspection team were keen, curious and confident enough to see and experience our innovative school and to clearly recognise the exceptional excellence that goes on here.

Have a look at the full report if you have time.  We are so pleased, honoured in fact, that ESA’s work has been recognised and commended but even more than that, we are so entirely thrilled that our community has been accurately seen and heard.  It was, at times, overwhelming to hear the inspectors quoting back to us what our students and their families had told them about their experience of joining ESA.  The whole community is so proud of this brave, creative, innovative school and we believe in this place.

Thanks to all our students and trainees, our parents, carers and families, our staff and teachers, our leaders and trustees and our industry partners. Together, we are supporting young people to find their creative voice and make meaningful, needed contributions to our culture and creative existence.

Outstanding.