At Quarry Hill Academy, we aim to provide the very best environment for all pupils to learn, to persevere and to succeed. At Quarry Hill Academy, and within Catalyst Academies Trust, we tackle and overcome these challenges by consistently setting aspirational targets and pitching the quality of teaching and learning to achieve ambitious standards, ensuring that progress and attainment for both key stages exceed national expectations.
Quarry Hill Academy was the third school to be sponsored by Catalyst Academies Trust, a school where academic performance, drive and ambition for pupils had been below national for some time. When we became part of Catalyst, we set out to prove that schools in Thurrock can secure outstanding achievement for all pupils, especially in the key areas of English, Maths and Science where historically, results were below national. Through a determined approach to teaching and learning, with a growth mind-set established by our staff, we offer the very best education for each child, encouraging them to reach their potential, regardless of their background or starting point.
This drive meant that within just 18 months, the school was transformed, moving from and Ofsted judgement of 'Requires Improvement' to 'Outstanding' where staff and pupils alike were proud to be a part of Quarry Hill Academy. The school maintained their 'Outstanding' rating in January 2023.
Refusing to accept underperformance, we adopt the key principles that every child can make outstanding progress if nurtured and taught by outstanding practitioners. We invested time and energy into creating a curriculum which has been personalised by highly skilled practitioners, who were trained in-house, to demand the very best from its pupils. An ethos of engagement, pride and consistent high expectations is embedded across the school and a desire to provide the very best education for all.
We are also very proud of our Personalised Learning Centre 2, which works in the same way as the SEMH base at Dilkes, with highly trained staff working to reintegrate children with an EHCP who have struggled to stay in mainstream. Our consistent approach and dedication to making school life successful for these pupils ensures that they are given a second chance.
Our subject leads strive to create innovative approaches to a curriculum where knowledge and skills are imparted through celebrations and hands-on experiences with huge success in sharing what has been learnt with parents. Competitions for Science, Poetry, Mathematics, cultural celebrations of our diversity, Catalyst Cup events – including Archery, Table Tennis, Athletics, Catalyst Countdown and Spelling Bees – all serve to enrich the learning process and instil a sense of curiosity, intrigue and aspiration.
‘Quarry Hill has really brought out our child’s potential. All the staff are fantastic. We are always praising the school and will continue to do so.’ (Year 3 parent)
Our staff at Quarry Hill are incredibly proud to be a part of such a success. We have established a supportive team, all of whom are committed and dedicated to providing the very best education. By developing and training our own staff and leading by example, everyone has a clear and shared understanding of what can be achieved by all.
Over the last five years, we have sourced funding to enable our school to be refurbished – with new ceilings, windows, walls and heating – ensuring that our school environment reflects the pride and high expectations that we all have for our pupils and staff. Our site has also developed with a new state of the art MUGA pitch built alongside brand-new changing rooms – enabling our pupils to access the all-weather pitch at any time and providing our local community an affordable exciting place to lease.
‘My child loves coming to school every day and there is a wide range of after school and before school activities. We would highly recommend this school to other parents looking to send their children to Quarry Hill.’ (Year 5 parent)
Many people have asked us how we sustain such high results and our immediate response is always: ‘It’s not rocket science!’ To all of us at Quarry Hill Academy, teaching is a chance to change a child’s life; to ensure a life-long love of learning and inspire all to achieve. This is achieved by consistently setting high expectations, developing a positive attitude to learning by ensuring the curriculum is motivating and engaging, by developing a growth mind-set for all – that we can be the best and to never give up.