Arc School Ansley

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 April 2025

For many pupils who come to this school, it is a life-changing experience. Most pupils have previously had negative experiences of education. The care and support staff give pupils when they arrive help them overcome their lack of trust in schools. For many pupils, this transforms their attitudes to learning. The school has high expectations of all pupils. Staff have a good understanding of each pupil and their individual needs. The school provides support specific to each pupil's needs. Together with highly positive relationships, this helps many pupils to thrive. In lessons, pupils engage and are enthusiastic about learning. They enjoy making links between what they have learned previously and what they are learning now. The careful design of the curriculum means this is a frequent occurrence. Pupils recall their recent prior learning very well. As a result of a comprehensive, wider curriculum, pupils develop their character and resilience. The school builds pupils' life skills and understanding of social expectations successfully, which helps prepare them for life beyond school. Pupils behave well, showing respect for staff and each other. Where this is not the case, skilled support helps pupils reflect and make amends. Older pupils often act as positive role models for the younger pupils.

What the school should improve

• Some pupils do not attend regularly. The school's actions to address this can be slow and so these pupils miss key parts of their education. The school should ensure it takes swift and effective action so more pupils attend regularly.
• Occasionally, staff do not implement the curriculum consistently well. When this happens, pupils do not learn the curriculum as securely as they could. The school should continue to support staff to embed the implementation of the curriculum, so pupils develop a secure body of knowledge across all subjects.

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