Gilbert Ward Academy

Overview

Gilbert Ward Academy provides an education that meets the expected standard in inclusion and personal development, with safeguarding standards fully met. However, the school requires attention in achievement, attendance, curriculum, and leadership, as inconsistencies in teaching and high absence rates hinder pupil progress. Leaders are taking action to address these issues, but it is currently too early to determine the impact of their improvements.

Strengths

• Leaders identify special educational needs quickly and tailor learning pathways to meet pupils’ social, emotional, and mental health needs.
• Pupils feel safe and cared for, with bullying dealt with effectively and staff maintaining positive relationships.
• A thoughtful programme supports personal development, including independent living skills and community engagement through regular visits.
• Pupils have a voice in school life through the student council and rewards-based clubs, fostering tolerance and respect.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must rapidly improve attendance and reduce persistent absence to ensure more pupils engage in their education.
• Teaching quality must be consistently high across all pathways to reduce knowledge gaps and ensure pupils learn securely.
• Leaders need to ensure all pupils secure foundational knowledge in reading, writing, and mathematics to achieve well from their starting points.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.