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Ofsted commends The Birley Academy as it achieves ‘Good’ clean sweep

After years of being rated ‘Requires Improvement’, The Birley Academy, part of L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, has achieved its first ever ‘Good’ rating across all areas in its latest Ofsted inspection since joining the Trust – marking a milestone turnaround that staff, students and the wider community are proudly celebrating.

This latest inspection report is a powerful endorsement of the school’s journey of improvement. The report praises the school’s raised expectations, improved teaching and learning, and a more purposeful learning environment.

Inspectors commended the positive shift in the school’s culture, noting that leaders at The Birley Academy have ‘heightened their expectations’ of students’ behaviour and achievement. Most students are ‘living up to these expectations’, with one student telling inspectors “behaviour is completely different now”. Inspectors also noted that students are now ‘proud to say they are part of The Birley Academy community.’

The report also spotlights the steady improvement in academic outcomes, effective curriculum delivery and enhanced pastoral care at the school.

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Other key highlights from the report include:

  • Students are ‘learning effectively in most subjects’, with the result that the school’s overall published outcomes ‘is improving year-on-year’.
  • The school ‘has supported staff to ensure that the delivery of the curriculum is more consistent’.
  • There is ‘much greater clarity’ in expectations of behaviour; as a result, ‘behaviour in lessons is calm and purposeful’.
  • ‘The school carefully identifies those pupils who need support with their reading. These pupils benefit from high-quality provision that precisely matches their needs. As a result, their reading improves quickly.’
  • Teachers at the school ‘benefit from a programme of professional development that is deepening their understanding of the curriculums they are teaching’. As a result, they are able ‘to make increasingly effective decisions in the classroom’.
  • The Birley Academy ‘has improved the way it identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)’. Students’ plans ‘are now much more precise about how to support individual need’.
  • Students accessing support from the school’s specially resourced SEND provision are ‘well cared for pastorally and are successful in making progress towards their non-qualification learning goals to prepare them for adulthood.’
  • The school is ‘taking appropriate steps to improve attendance, with some signs of improvement, especially for pupils with SEND’.
  • Students are able to ‘develop a strong knowledge of the risks they face in life, how to keep themselves safe and where to turn for support’, through ‘a taught personal development programme, and a range of assemblies with external speakers’.
  • Students ‘benefit from a strong careers programme’, including work experience in Year 10. This programme ‘supports them to make appropriate decisions about their next steps’.
  • The Birley Academy’s leaders ‘plan improvements to provision systematically to ensure they are long-lasting’.
  • Leaders, including those from L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, ‘have managed the school effectively’. This collaborative approach has been ‘a significant factor in the pace of progress of the school’.

This recognition is an important milestone and motivates us to keep pushing for even greater success

Victoria Hall, Headteacher at The Birley Academy, said:

“This Ofsted report is a tremendous validation of the hard work and dedication shown by our staff, students and families. We are incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made – this is a moment of celebration for our whole community.

“Our journey isn’t over, but this recognition is an important milestone and motivates us to keep pushing for even greater success so we can deliver a high quality and well-rounded education to each one of our students.”

Alyson Middlemass, Director of Schools at L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, added:

“The transformation at The Birley Academy is a shining example of what’s possible with strong leadership, determined staff and a shared vision for excellence.

“This ‘Good’ rating across all areas is richly deserved and reflects our commitment to sustainable improvement. We are proud of everyone involved in this journey and excited to see the school continue to go from strength to strength.”

Read the full report