A family of schools in Brentwood is marking a significant educational milestone, finishing the academic year in its strongest-ever position following a series of successful Ofsted inspections.
Trust-Wide Success Story
Between July 2024 and summer 2025, every school within the Discovery Educational Trust (DET) in Brentwood underwent scrutiny from the education watchdog. The result was a clean sweep, with each institution graded as providing either an Outstanding or Good standard of education in all assessed areas.
This achievement is particularly notable given the Trust's history of turning around struggling schools. Two of the schools were considered to be failing when they joined the Trust in recent years, making their journey to a positive rating a remarkable transformation.
The Trust's story began at Larchwood Primary School, where then-headteacher Ryan Duff led the school to an Outstanding Ofsted rating. Now serving as CEO, Mr Duff has expanded his leadership to include Hogarth Primary School, St Martin's School, and Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School. Collectively, these schools now provide high-quality education to more than 2,500 young people in the Brentwood district.
Leadership and Transformation
Ryan Duff expressed immense pride in the collective achievement. "Every area inspected in all our schools is now rated Good or Outstanding; a huge milestone for Brentwood's largest trust," he stated. "This achievement reflects the dedication, skill and passion of our staff, the commitment of our pupils, and the support of their families."
He emphasised that this success provides a "strong foundation" for continuous improvement, ensuring every child receives the best possible education for years to come.
The individual school stories within the Trust highlight diverse paths to excellence. At Larchwood Primary, which received a Good rating in July 2024 with Outstanding grades in personal development and Early Years, headteacher Steve Bowsher pointed to unique offerings. These include having two adults in every class, dedicated facilities like a cooking room and computer suite, and a distinctive curriculum model that allows for deep, immersive learning in core subjects.
Turning Around School Fortunes
One of the most dramatic turnarounds occurred at Hogarth Primary School, which joined the Trust two years ago after being graded as Requires Improvement in 2023. Under new headteacher Rob Watson, drafted in by DET, the school received a glowing report in summer 2025, with all aspects considered Outstanding or Good, including an Outstanding grade for personal development.
Mr Watson acknowledged the competitive educational landscape in Brentwood, where parents have significant choice. "Our history is always going to be a challenge for us; that negative reputation," he admitted. However, he reported a shift in perception: "People who would not have considered us or put us as their fourth choice in the past are now coming to see us. Word is spreading that Hogarth is now up there with the rest of the great Brentwood schools."
He credited mentorship from other heads within the Trust and a stable, embedded staff team for being instrumental in the school's rapid improvement.
The other Trust schools also celebrated their successes. St Martin's School, inspected under the new framework in September 2024, was graded Outstanding in leadership and management and Good in all other areas. Headteacher Jamie Foster attributed this to a clear vision and "uncompromising" expectations.
Kelvedon Hatch Community Primary School, inspected in May 2025 and graded Good in all areas, was praised by headteacher Victoria Townsend as a "warm, friendly and welcoming place" where a strong values-based culture and a broad, well-sequenced curriculum underpin pupil success.
The collective achievement of the Discovery Educational Trust stands as a powerful example of how collaboration, strong leadership, and a shared vision for excellence can elevate educational standards across a community, ensuring positive outcomes for thousands of children.
