An Ilford secondary school that opened less than two years ago has been rated “outstanding” in its first Ofsted inspection.

The report published this week praised Isaac Newton Academy’s principal for establishing “very high quality teaching where every student succeeds”.

Students, currently only Years 7s and 8s, produce work demonstrating “very high levels of achievement, commitment and determination”, Ofsted said.

Principal Rachel Macfarlane said: “This result is a tribute to the hard work, commitment and skills of the entire school community and I was delighted that the inspectors recognised that ‘all teaching and support staff make a significant contribution to the running of the academy’.

“It’s great to be able to share this praise with all our staff, students, parents and the community who are supporting us.”

The Cricklefield Place school, one of 19 schools across the capital run by academies sponsor ARK Schools, specialises in maths and music, and gives all pupils the opportunity to learn an instrument.

Inspectors praised its “unique” approach and said students appeared to “really enjoy” music making. On July 7, pupils from the school will play at a special gala event at London’s Barbican Centre.

Eventually, Isaac Newton Academy will be an all-through school taking in pupils between the ages of four and 18.

Ms Macfarlane added: “We won’t rest on our laurels - we are determined to continue to make improvements as we take in another secondary year group and our first primary pupils in September.”

Academies are schools funded by the state but free of local authority control. They have the ability to set pay and conditions for staff, deliver the national curriculum in different ways, and modify the school day.

Four out of five days a week, the academy keeps pupils in school from 8.30am-4.10pm, which is slightly longer than the average school day.

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