The Reach Free School

Overview

The Reach Free School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils are described as happy within a community where teachers hold high expectations for behaviour and learning, prioritising well-being and personal development. The school offers a broad, ambitious curriculum and exceptional experiences, including extensive trips and clubs, resulting in typically strong academic achievement.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from a "well-constructed, broad and ambitious academic curriculum" with teachers who possess the necessary subject knowledge.
• "Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported," enabling them to access the same curriculum as their peers and achieve well.
• Behaviour is "exemplary," with pupils conducting themselves responsibly and treating others with respect; disruption to learning is "very rare."
• The school provides "exceptional" experiences through a wide range of electives, trips, and community initiatives that broaden pupils’ interests and understanding.
• Leaders ensure staff have access to a "high-quality programme of training and development," and the board of trustees provides effective challenge and support.

Areas to improve

• Staff must use checks on pupils’ understanding to make necessary adaptations to teaching, ensuring it meets all pupils’ needs precisely.
• The school needs to identify all pupils who struggle with reading and provide effective support to help them improve fluency and access the curriculum.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.