THE Wellington Academy in Ludgershall has been praised for its “outstanding” quality of care and support for its boarding pupils.

Ofsted rated the overall provision as good during its latest inspection.

Nearly 10 per cent of the school’s students are boarders, with up to 100 boarding places available.

Ofsted also gave good ratings for the protection of children and young people, and the impact and effectiveness of leaders and managers.

Inspector Wendy Anderson said: “The boarding provision is well managed by an experienced team who have clear plans to drive the improvement forward. Staff use reflective and innovative practice, incorporating findings from associated research. This linked with robust and effective monitoring leads to continuous improvement.”

She added: “Young people who board make excellent progress in comparison to pupils who do not. This is due to the additional support and structure they receive.”

The report also praised the purpose built boarding accommodation, which the young people benefitted from.

Wellington Academy says its academic performance this year was the best in its history, with 50 per cent of pupils achieving five A*-C GCSEs including English and maths.

Principal Dr Mike Milner said: “Combined with record academic results this year, this is further evidence of the excellent all-round education we are providing. In particular, I would like to single out my colleagues Tania Davidson, Director of Boarding, and Ben Bond, Vice Principal, who have led the changes which have achieved this well-deserved improved assessment of our boarding. Two years ago we were judged inadequate and this is clear evidence of the hard work and commitment that has gone into improving the provision.”

The Wellington Academy is sponsored by Wellington College and is an 11-19 non-selective, co-educational state-funded school.

Julian Thomas, the master of Wellington College, said: “There has been exceptional work by Mike Milner, his leadership team and all his staff at Wellington Academy to bring about these improvements in only two years. As the Academy’s founders, we are hugely proud of our association and of the progress the school continues to make. I know it has an exciting future ahead.”