'I am incredibly proud' - new York school celebrates first Ofsted inspection

(Image: Supplied)

A YORK school is celebrating after meeting all independent school standards in its first Ofsted inspection.

Inspire Academy, an alternative provision school in Acomb, is celebrating a positive report after it visited by inspectors in July 2026 - less than a year after it was registered by the Department for Education.

The school, which is part of the Excel Learning Trust and located next door to York High School, aims to help students who need additional support with their behavioural, social, emotional, or mental health needs.

• WATCH - Hundreds line up as popular shop returns to York after four years
• North Yorkshire fish and chip shop named among in the top in the country

It provides places for up to 40 young people from across the trust's schools and the wider city of York, with a curriculum which is designed "to be ambitious, inclusive, and responsive to individual needs, preparing students for GCSE qualifications and life beyond school".

Inspectors found that "safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture in which concerns are identified and acted on so that pupils are made safer and feel safe."

They also highlighted the school's "powerful mentoring programmes that transform pupils' mental health and wellbeing."

The personal development curriculum was praised for helping pupils understand how to keep safe, both in their community and online.

Inspire Academy in Acomb is now preparing to open its doors to students (Image: Apple Photos Clean Up)

The curriculum was described as "academically ambitious," enabling pupils to work towards recognised qualifications, including GCSEs, while closing gaps in their earlier learning.

Staff were found to feel well supported by leaders and benefit from a varied programme of professional training and development.

The inspection confirmed that all independent school standards, spanning the quality of education, staff suitability, and facilities, have been met in full - adding that pupils generally enjoy school and the "like the close-knit community and the smaller classes compared to what they have previously experienced."

Two areas for improvement were highlighted with inspectors adding that leaders should ensure the curriculum design supports pupils to "learn the most important knowledge set out in the curriculum across all subjects" and that they should strength the school's personal development offer.

Rickie Wilson of Inspire Academy (Image: Provided)

Rickie Wilson, head of school at Inspire Academy, said: "Every pupil who comes to Inspire Academy arrives with a unique story, and we view every new arrival as an opportunity for a fresh start.

"This report reflects what our staff do every single day: building trust with young people, understanding what sits behind their behaviour, and giving them a genuine chance to thrive academically and personally.

"I am incredibly proud of our team and what we have achieved in our first year."

Inspire Academy was established to provide an alternative to permanent exclusion or repeated suspension for students across the trust and the wider city of York, many of whom join with low attendance and a difficult relationship with school.

Mark Hassack has been appointed the new CEO of the South Bank Multi Academies Trust in York

Inspectors noted that the vast majority of students improve their attendance soon after joining, while incidents of suspension drop significantly compared with students' previous settings.

Mark Hassack, CEO of Excel Learning Trust, said: "Inspire Academy exists because we believe every child deserves an education that meets them where they are.

"To see that ambition recognised in full by Ofsted, in the school's first year, tells you everything about the dedication of Rickie and his team."