Westminster Academy is delighted to have been recognised by SSAT (The Schools, Students and Teachers Network) in this year’s Educational Outcomes Awards.

These awards recognise the highest performing secondary schools in the country, based on 2023 performance data and information from Ofsted. Westminster Academy was awarded for being in the top 20% of non-selective schools nationally for student attainment in the 2023 end of key stage 4 (KS4) exams.

The SSAT Educational Outcomes database compares all state-funded schools in England. You can see comparisons relating to attainment in the chart displayed below. This refers to the percentage of students achieving 9-5 / 9-4 final grades in English (En) and Maths (Ma), as well as the percentage of students being entered for the English Baccalaureate (Ebacc). (A student is considered to have entered for the English Baccalaureate if they entered for qualifications in English, maths, sciences, a language and either history or geography.)

The data compiled by SSAT highlighted some further rewarding outcomes. For example, given that 68% of students in this cohort speak English as an Additional Language, it is impressive that 84% of students achieved grades 9-4 in English. The Progress 8 score of 0.4 was significantly above national average, meaning that at the end of KS4 on average students achieved 0.4 of a grade higher than their expected outcome based on their end of key stage 2 results, in other words their progress was 0.4 of a grade higher than the national average progress. We are particularly proud that the gap between ‘disadvantaged’* students and other students is significantly less than the national average. You can see an example of this - a comparison of Attainment 8 (students’ performance in 8 GCSE-level qualifications) - displayed left.

To be recognised with an Educational Outcomes Award is a significant achievement and a testament to the work of the whole school community. Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT said: “Congratulations to Westminster Academy on winning an SSAT Educational Outcomes Award. This success is down to the superb learning and teaching, outstanding support and inspirational leadership of students, staff, parents and governors. You have made a huge difference to the lives of the young people in your school. Thank you.”

At WA we feel extremely fortunate to have a staff body that is committed to improving student outcomes throughout the whole of a student’s academic journey with us and we are grateful that parents and carers support us with this. We also have an inspiring body of knowledgeable, reflective students who are the source of immense pride to their teachers! Our goal is to provide students with an IB-informed education that results in much more than good grades. However, we are pleased to be able to guide students towards the best grades possible to be able to give them a choice of future pathways. Congratulations to the 2023 Year 11 cohort for their impressive achievements.

* The Department for Education defines ‘disadvantaged’ students as those who are looked after by a local authority or state care, or who have been eligible for Free School Meals at any time in the last 6 years.