Academy 360

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 May 2022

Academy 360 is a much-improved school where everyone is valued. This is because of the strong strategic leadership of the Laidlaw Schools Trust and the determination of its staff. The quality of education is now good. Pupils are becoming aspirational and committed to their studies. The principal has successfully raised expectations. Both the primary and secondary phases of the school are working well. Leaders have worked hard to keep the school on an even keel through the pandemic. The staff went above and beyond to keep vulnerable pupils safe. High levels of staff absence, at times, have meant behaviour has not always been good. However, leaders tackled this well. The school is calm and settled now. Pupils of all ages feel safe. They feel well supported by the pastoral staff. Pupils know they can get help if they feel anxious. Relationships between staff and pupils are friendly and positive. There are well- established routines and procedures which keep the school calm and orderly. Some bullying happens occasionally. Pupils trust the staff to sort it out. The staff are tenacious and work hard to resolve any conflicts between pupils. The school has been hit by the pandemic but leaders have skilfully navigated this without losing sight of what needed to improve. Extra-curricular activities have restarted. Visits out of school to places of interest are happening again. Sports events have largely resumed. Pupils say they enjoy school. The level of attendance is better now than before the pandemic.

What the school should improve

• In key stage 3, pupils currently only study arts and design and technology subjects for two years. This means pupils' experience in these subjects is shallower than it should be. From September, leaders have plans to implement a different timetable that will allow them greater flexibility in curriculum design. Leaders should ensure that, over time, they establish greater breadth and depth across subjects in key stage 3, so that pupils receive a diet that at least matches the ambition of the national curriculum.
• Many pupils remember much of the knowledge they are taught. However, some pupils find it difficult to recall some essential ideas and concepts needed for further study. This is because, in some subjects, teachers are better than others at recapping and revisiting the most important knowledge. Leaders should support subject leaders to make sure teachers routinely use approaches to review and recap knowledge.
• The school's behaviour policy was revised last year. Some approaches to the use of rewards and sanctions have changed. A small minority of staff have reservations about the new approach. Leaders should do more to explain to the staff how they make decisions about the use of rewards and sanctions.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)