Padgate Academy has been recognised as an Ambassador School by SSAT for its work on Embedding Formative Assessment, marking a significant milestone in the school’s ongoing drive to strengthen teaching and learning. The accreditation acknowledges Padgate’s commitment to evidence-informed practice, collaboration across its community and a culture of continuous improvement in every classroom.
For Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning Christopher Pollard, the recognition is both a proud moment and the result of sustained effort. "It’s a significant endorsement of our commitment to evidence-informed practice, collaboration and continuous improvement," he explains, describing the status as "an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the wider education community."
The award follows a focused two-year programme of professional development for staff, centred on refining and strengthening formative assessment practices across the school. "It’s been two years of working to improve the skill set of all the staff," Pollard says. "We were in a good place to start with, but what we’ve done is refine that even further." This has included a strong emphasis on questioning techniques, clear success criteria and helping students to peer and self-assess their work with increasing confidence and accuracy.
Crucially, the programme has not only enhanced classroom practice but also developed staff as leaders. "As part of the programme, we have teachers delivering as facilitators, empowering them to develop as leaders and coaches,” Pollard notes. "The school, has fostered a culture of wider collaboration amongst teachers to drive improvement" This collaborative culture has been key to embedding consistent, high-quality teaching strategies across the school.
Embedding Formative Assessment is a long-term, evidence-based approach that focuses on using ongoing assessment to inform teaching, shape learning and improve outcomes for all students. The SSAT Ambassador School award recognises schools that not only implement these principles effectively but also contribute to the wider education community by sharing what works.
For Padgate, this means opening its doors to others. "We’ll host things like coffee mornings with colleagues in teaching and learning roles, where they can come in, discuss practice and share knowledge," Pollard explains. "We’ll also be putting on days where people can come and see it in action. It’s going to be great for collaboration across multiple schools."
The new status also enables the school to contribute more widely to national conversations around education. "It gives us the opportunity to contribute to articles as well, almost as a case study," Pollard adds, reinforcing Padgate’s role as a model of effective practice.
This focus on formative assessment sits within a broader and deeply embedded culture of improvement at Padgate Academy. Quality assurance processes and regular reviews have highlighted clear progress in teaching, while student feedback points to a curriculum that is increasingly inclusive and engaging. "There’s a lot of work that goes on beyond teaching and learning," Pollard says. "Teaching and learning is one of three main elements that are helping to drive improvement in school, the other two being inclusivity and character education."
These three areas are reflected in a trio of recognitions that together illustrate the school’s holistic approach: the SSAT Ambassador School status for teaching and learning, the Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM), and the Character Education Quality Mark (CEQM). Pollard describes this as a 'three-pronged approach' to developing students. "You’ve got the teaching, the character side which is demonstrated through our PRIDE values, and inclusivity: supporting students who may have barriers to learning and helping them access their education."
The academy’s PRIDE values: Positivity, Resilience, Integrity, Determination and Endeavour underpin not only academic development but also the growth of students as individuals. "We’re developing students academically, but we’re also trying to develop them as people," Pollard explains, highlighting the school’s commitment to preparing young people for life beyond the classroom.
Seated in central Warrington, Padgate Academy is known as a warm, vibrant and inclusive secondary school that prides itself on helping students become creative and confident builders of their future. As part of The Challenge Academy Trust, it benefits from strong partnerships that support the sharing of expertise and opportunities, ensuring that every student has access to high-quality teaching and a broad educational experience.
That sense of inclusivity is, according to Pollard, what truly sets the school apart. "The most important value of the school is maintaining an inclusive nature and family environment," he says. "We’re working together to support a community." This ethos is reflected in the school’s strong reputation for supporting students with additional needs, something frequently recognised by parents. "A lot of people say, ‘We’ve heard you’re very good at SEND provision,’ so we know that message is already out in the community."
The school’s journey of improvement has also become increasingly visible. "Student numbers are increasing, and more people are choosing us as their first-choice," Pollard notes. "The work we’re doing is getting out into the community, with more parents putting their trust in us."
Alongside developments in teaching and learning, the school is also investing heavily in its facilities, with ongoing upgrades transforming the site to meet rising demand. These improvements are complemented by a rich and expanding curriculum, including a wide range of GCSE and vocational options designed to meet diverse student needs.
Opportunities beyond the classroom are also flourishing. From international trips such as recent visits to Andorra, France and Belgium, to a growing programme of extracurricular activities, students are being offered experiences that broaden their horizons. School productions, including recent performances of Mary Poppins and High School Musical, alongside sports clubs and leadership opportunities, contribute to a vibrant school culture.
Support for both students and staff remains a priority. A dedicated wellbeing team works across the school, while strong pastoral systems ensure that students and families are supported at every stage of their journey. "We have a continuous conversation with parents and carers," Pollard says. "That support is really helping students and engaging the community."
For Padgate Academy, becoming an SSAT Ambassador School is both an acknowledgement of work already undertaken and an invitation to deepen its impact. "It allows us to showcase our practice across a wider area," Pollard reflects, but he is clear that Padgate's core focus remains unchanged: "Our focus has always been developing students and developing our teaching."
Staff, students and families can take pride in a recognition that highlights the strength of teaching and learning at the school, while looking ahead to the new partnerships and possibilities this national role will bring.
If you would like to find out more about how Padgate’s approach to teaching, learning and assessment can support your child, you are warmly encouraged to visit the school website or contact the academy to arrange a visit and see this work in action.
Padgate Academy
Insall Rd, Padgate, Warrington WA2 0LN
Tel: 01925 822632
Email: info@padgateacademy.co.uk
Web: www.padgateacademy.co.uk
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