The Ripley Academy

Overview

The Ripley Academy has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Leaders have addressed challenges arising from the pandemic and staff changes, ensuring the school is “back on track and is improving at pace.” The report highlights a strong sense of community, with pupils feeling safe and supported by staff who go “above and beyond.”

Strengths

• Pastoral care is strong, with pupils knowing they have a “trusted adult to turn to” and feeling safe within the school community.
• Behaviour has significantly improved, with the policy working effectively so that “learning is now rarely disrupted.”
• The curriculum is ambitious, focusing on essential knowledge and long-term retention, with sixth-form students receiving a “consistently strong learning experience.”
• Reading is a priority, supported by a comprehensive curriculum, a well-resourced library, and effective initiatives like the sixth-form “buddy readers” programme.
• Pupils benefit from high-quality careers advice, including university visits and work experience, fostering confidence and ambition for their next steps.

Areas to improve

• Teachers must more consistently adapt learning across all subjects for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to ensure their needs are met well.
• Staff in some subjects need to regularly check pupils’ understanding and identify learning gaps to ensure prior learning is secure and built upon effectively.
• The school should continue work to reduce the number of suspensions, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, as rates remain too high for these groups.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.