Ashbrook School

Overview

Ashbrook School is described as a "highly inclusive and aspirational" institution where pupils become "confident and independent learners." The report highlights a "broad, balanced and ambitious" curriculum that supports strong personal development, with leaders demonstrating "commitment, energy and determination" to improve outcomes.

Strengths

• Pupils "behave well and show great kindness," embracing values such as cooperation, respect, and perseverance.
• The curriculum is "sequentially" structured, helping pupils build new learning on existing knowledge, with staff skilfully adapting resources for those with special educational needs.
• Reading is prioritised, with achievement in phonics "improving rapidly" and pupils enjoying the "culturally diverse and well-stocked library."
• Personal development is a "particular strength," with pupils learning to stay safe online and showing respect for different faiths and cultures.
• Leaders have balanced improvement ambitions with "consideration for staff well-being and workload," ensuring changes are "manageable, sustainable and implemented effectively."

Areas to improve

• Assessment in the wider curriculum does not always identify misconceptions precisely enough; the school must ensure it "identifies and remedies gaps in pupils’ understanding in all areas."
• In a few subjects, some teachers do not present learning as clearly as they could; the school must ensure all staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to help pupils achieve well.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."