This academy has arguably seen the most transformational journey of any Sixth Form in the country. Originally known as The Maltings College, TSFA was put under the leadership of a newly-formed senior leadership group (SLG) from other schools in the Trust. The outlook was bleak – an ‘inadequate’ judgement in 2013 was followed by two RI judgements; student numbers had dwindled to just 29 and there was a significant budget deficit. The college was on ‘life support’ and expected to close.
Three years on, the college has almost 800 students, serving some of the most deprived areas in the borough. Over 1200 students applied for a place in Year 12 for September 2022, and in 2021 it was graded Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ in all areas.
Through the creation of new professional standards, effective marketing and a relentless focus on the academy ethos and culture (‘To develop life-ready learners’), the current SLG has been responsible for rescuing a failing institution, working with the LA and six neighbouring 11-18 providers to restructure post-16 across the borough.
