Aspire AP School 2

Overview

Aspire AP School 2 is an independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 16, many of whom have been out of education for prolonged periods. The report states that the school is “ambitious and aspirational” and that “care, nurture and a sense of belonging permeate every aspect” of the setting. Leaders and staff are praised for their commitment to helping pupils overcome barriers to learning, resulting in improved attendance and re-engagement with education.

Strengths

• The curriculum effectively addresses gaps in literacy and mathematics, with a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ thinking skills.
• Staff build “meaningful relationships” that help pupils modify their behaviour, creating a “calm and orderly” environment.
• Leaders work “exceptionally well with parents” to overcome barriers to attendance, leading to significant improvements.
• Personal development is supported through outdoor activities, bespoke careers advice, and age-appropriate teaching of fundamental British values.
• Staff receive high levels of support for their well-being and workload, and they are “proud to work at this school.”

Areas to improve

• The curriculum in some subjects lacks clarity on the precise knowledge and skills pupils should learn over time, hindering consistent teaching.
• Staff do not always identify when pupils are ready to learn new content, meaning some pupils do not reach their potential.
• There is no systematic phonics approach to support the few pupils at the very early stages of learning to read.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”