Bader Academy

Overview

Bader Academy is a special academy for pupils aged 5 to 19, primarily with autism and associated needs. The inspection found that pupils enjoy coming to school, value strong relationships with staff, and feel safe within a calm and orderly environment. Leaders have implemented a carefully designed curriculum that prepares pupils well for their next stages, with high expectations and effective support for special educational needs.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from a "carefully designed curriculum" with a broad range of subjects and increasingly ambitious qualifications.
• Staff accurately identify individual needs and adapt teaching effectively, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well.
• Reading is prioritised, with early readers supported to learn sounds and gaps in learning addressed promptly by "well-trained staff".
• The school fosters positive personal development through initiatives like 'Nurture Breakfast' and lunchtime clubs, helping pupils build social skills and confidence.
• Leaders maintain an accurate view of the school’s work and ensure staff workload and well-being are considered in improvement decisions.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the knowledge and skills pupils should learn are "not as clearly defined as in more established subjects," affecting teaching and achievement. The school should further develop its curriculum to ensure clarity across all subjects.

Safeguarding

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