Airedale Junior Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 April 2023

The curriculum at Airedale is based on the multi-academy trust's core values of 'Ambition, Bravery and Respect'. The respectful relationships evident throughout the school community help everyone to feel happy and safe. Bullying happens very rarely. Staff speak to pupils to repair friendships, even if the bullying has happened out of school time at weekends or during the school holidays. Leaders encourage all pupils and parents to report any worries about bullying straight away so that things can be resolved quickly. Leaders' high expectations of pupils' learning are paying off. Standards are rising at Airedale. Pupils take great pride in their work. They behave well in lessons. Leaders have successfully redesigned an ambitious curriculum. They prioritised certain curriculum subjects to make this task manageable, taking account of teachers' workload. The curriculum for pupils' wider development is equally ambitious. Leaders make sure that no one is left out of educational visits. Pupils in Year 6 are learning to play squash at the local courts. This is helping them to develop healthy lifestyles. Pupils have mature debates on morality and ethics. For example, older pupils debated some of the decisions made by politicians during national lockdowns.

What the school should improve

• There is inconsistency in teachers' subject and pedagogical content knowledge in design and technology, music and languages. Some teachers lack confidence teaching the practical aspects of these subjects. Leaders should provide the training required to help some teachers improve their confidence and subject knowledge in these subjects.

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