The Academy School

Overview

Pupils “really enjoy school” and are “enthusiastic about their learning” within a close-knit community where they feel safe. The school delivers an “exceedingly ambitious curriculum” that secures high achievement and prepares pupils well for secondary education. Leaders maintain “exceptionally high expectations” while fostering an ethos of “mutual respect and equality.”

Strengths

• The curriculum is “broad and rich,” developing knowledge securely through logical sequencing and ambitious subjects like Latin and philosophy.
• Teachers possess “strong subject knowledge” and “skilfully adapt their teaching” to deepen understanding and address gaps in learning.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) study the “full curriculum” and achieve well through targeted support.
• Reading is a clear priority, with daily practice and a “diverse” reading list promoting fluency and interest.
• Behaviour is excellent, with “very high” attendance driven by pupils’ enjoyment and the “family feel” of the school.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.