Finch Woods Academy

Overview

Leaders have “transformed the school rapidly and with clear purpose,” establishing a stable structure and rigorous governance. The school fulfils the “expected standard” in achievement, attendance, behaviour, curriculum, inclusion, and personal development, while leadership and governance reach a “strong standard.”

Strengths

• Leaders provide a “compelling vision” and “robust challenge,” with professional development that is “coherent, personalised and valued by staff.”
• Staff use assessment data to identify gaps and adapt teaching for pupils with “complex social, emotional and mental health needs.”
• Behaviour has “improved significantly,” with “clear expectations and consistent routines” creating calm, purposeful classrooms where bullying is rare.
• The curriculum is “logically sequenced” and uses a ‘stage not age’ approach to ensure learning is accessible for all pupils.
• Pupils feel “safe, valued and increasingly successful,” benefiting from therapeutic support and a “well‑designed personal development programme.”

Areas to improve

• Teachers must consistently “identify and address any misconceptions” to ensure pupils achieve as well as they should.
• Leaders should build on current strategies to secure “notable improvements in attendance and behaviour for all pupils and groups.”

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns are actively managed.