Hillcrest Academy

Hillcrest Academy, in the heart of Chapeltown and formerly Hillcrest Primary School, was the first school in the primary sector to be sponsored by GORSE. Following a long and extremely turbulent history, with 16 Headteachers in 20 years the school was in turmoil, culminating in an Ofsted judgement of Serious Weaknesses in 2013.

Hillcrest Academy brings education to the 8^th most deprived postal code in the country. The area is highly transient and is a first port of call for many families as they arrive in the UK often seeking refuge or asylum. Many children arrive unable to speak any English and a significant proportion have never been educated elsewhere prior to their arrival.

Following a remarkable transformation the academy was first judged to be Outstanding in September 2016. All of us were delighted and so proud to have Hillcrest Academy judged as being an Outstanding school in every category. Furthermore, in May 2022 under the exceptional leadership of the academy’s Principal Sam Done, Hillcrest Academy was re-accredited as Outstanding again in every aspect. These judgements are of immense importance to the Chapeltown community, to the children who now prosper in such a wonderful school and to the professionals who can be so proud of all that has been achieved.

There is no doubt that Hillcrest Academy is a beacon of excellence across the city and beyond, and is an example of what can be achieved when professional standards are of the very highest calibre. This has also been recognised through the award of World Class School status which confirms the very special nature of our work at Hillcrest Academy.