The London Screen Academy

Overview

The London Screen Academy is a free school sixth-form academy for students aged 16 to 19, specialising in creative practice. The inspection found that leaders set "very high standards" and are "exceptionally ambitious" for students, resulting in an outstanding quality of education. Students are "exceptionally well prepared for a career" in the film and television industry through high-quality industry partnerships and rigorous vocational training.

Strengths

• Students benefit from an "outstanding range of opportunities" including masterclasses with international directors and work experience on professional sets.
• The curriculum is "well designed" to prepare students for industry, incorporating realistic challenges such as "mock crisis points" to build adaptability.
• Teachers are "well-qualified industry experts" who provide "exceptionally constructive feedback," helping students improve their work considerably.
• The academy fosters an "exceptionally inclusive" community where students "actively embrace diversity" and understand British values within the industry context.
• Staff provide "excellent careers advice," ensuring the vast majority of students progress to positive next steps in the creative industries.

Areas to improve

• Staff do not always track effectively how much progress students with special educational needs and/or disabilities make towards attaining their education, health and care plan outcomes.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture where staff are well trained and students feel comfortable approaching the safeguarding team with concerns.