Adelaide Heath Academy

Overview

Adelaide Heath Academy is a special school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, judged as ‘Good’ overall. The report describes a ‘calm, orderly place’ where staff provide a ‘safe and caring environment’ that helps pupils re-engage with learning after facing significant barriers. Leaders have designed an ‘ambitious curriculum’ that prepares students well for their future lives, with most gaining necessary qualifications and skills.

Strengths

• Staff foster ‘warm, nurturing relationships’ that build a ‘strong sense of community’ and help pupils develop self-esteem and manage emotions.
• The curriculum is ‘well thought out’ in most subjects, with teachers skilled in delivering learning and quickly addressing misconceptions.
• Pupils make ‘considerable gains’ in attendance from low starting points, supported by ‘supportive strategies’.
• The sixth form provides a tailored curriculum for those needing extra time, with most students gaining qualifications for successful futures.
• Reading is a priority, with staff effectively helping pupils at early stages to ‘catch up quickly’.

Areas to improve

• Refine curriculum thinking in a minority of subjects where content is ‘less ambitious’ and does not equip pupils with sufficient knowledge.
• Use more effective strategies to address learning gaps caused by irregular attendance and bolster efforts to improve attendance for persistently absent pupils.
• Ensure sixth-form expectations remain high to prevent regression in attendance and attitudes for some students moving from key stage 4.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.