Act Fast NL Ltd

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 February 2024

Act Fast provides a calm and nurturing yet stimulating and ambitious environment for pupils to learn. Pupils feel safe and valued by staff. They enjoy the school's vast grounds and facilities, which provide them with the space and opportunity to undertake meaningful learning that results in desirable academic and vocational qualifications. All staff want pupils to receive the best. They know their pupils and their families. They understand and accommodate their interests and needs well. Pupils quickly settle at the school and most pupils attend well; often far outstripping their previous attendance outcomes. Leaders prioritise making sure that pupils are ready to learn. Pupils then want to know more and are ready to be challenged. Once this happens, pupils make rapid progress and they are empowered to soar both personally and in their learning. Pupils behave well. They show respect to their peers and members of staff. Bullying is not a feature in this school. However, if it should happen pupils are confident that staff will deal with any issues promptly and effectively. Leaders are focused on maintaining and extending the ambitious core academic curriculum they have established. Their recently refined vocational offer is highly valuable. It prepares pupils well for their exciting next steps. Many of the school's pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities. They receive high-quality specialist support. Knowledgeable staff provide mentoring and therapy sessions which are precisely matched to pupils' needs.

What the school should improve

• Leaders prioritise reading throughout school. They know that a small number of pupils who join the school, and who are still at the early stage of reading, are not gaining phonics knowledge consistently. Equally, some pupils who are independent readers are not developing their comprehension skills as well as they might. The school should ensure that its plan to introduce cross-school reading champions who are empowered to support their staff teams in this vital area of the school's work is implemented swiftly.

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