Aspire AP School 2

Overview: Aspire AP School 2 is a good independent day school that provides a supportive and inclusive environment for pupils who have previously been out of education. The school has a strong focus on pupils' well-being and behaviour, and staff work well to identify and support those who need additional help. Pupils make good progress and develop a sense of belonging and purpose.

Strengths:

• The school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for pupils who have previously been out of education.
• Staff work well to identify and support pupils who need additional help, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• The school has a strong focus on pupils' well-being and behaviour, and staff skilfully utilise relationships to help pupils modify and improve their behaviour.
• The school works hard to secure strong attendance, and leaders work exceptionally well with parents to ensure barriers are overcome.
• The school's work to promote pupils' personal development is strong, including a plethora of outdoor activities and effective bespoke careers advice and guidance.

Areas to improve:

• The curriculum in some subjects does not clearly identify the precise knowledge and skills pupils should learn over time, which means that staff are not always clear on what to teach and when.
• Occasionally, staff do not spot when pupils are ready to learn new content, resulting in some pupils not reaching their potential.
• There is no systematic phonics approach in place to support pupils who are at the very early stages of learning to read.

Safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.