The Brittons Academy

Overview

The Brittons Academy is described as a school that has improved significantly, with pupils feeling ‘well looked after’ and proud of their attendance. Leaders maintain high expectations for academic achievement, delivering a broad curriculum that prepares pupils well for future education stages. The report highlights strong staff-pupil relationships and effective support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate positive behaviour, modelling the academy’s ‘PRIDE’ values of being ‘positive, respectful, independent, determined and excellent’.
• Staff provide ‘strong provision’ for pupils with SEND, ensuring they access the full curriculum with timely, well-matched support.
• Teachers help pupils develop knowledge effectively, using strategies like quizzes to recall prior learning and checking understanding to reduce gaps.
• Leaders ensure pupils receive impartial career advice and information about vocational education post-16.
• Staff workload is manageable, with leaders taking account of work-life balance and providing professional development opportunities.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure all teachers routinely check pupils’ understanding with precision before introducing new content to prevent gaps in knowledge.
• Leaders should do more to encourage pupil take-up of co-curricular clubs and opportunities to enhance wider development.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with clear reporting procedures, secure recruitment, and staff who are well trained and alert to signs of risk.