Ark Evelyn Grace Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 February 2025

This is a welcoming and happy school. The last two years have seen many improvements for pupils at Ark Evelyn Grace Academy. Staff care deeply that all pupils achieve, both academically and personally. The trust has supported the school to establish an inclusive and aspirational culture. Most pupils enjoy the education and wider opportunities that the school provides. The school community has recently re-set the school values. The 'culture compass' has been established which puts 'Community, Ambition, Integrity, Professionalism and Perseverance' at the heart of the school. These values are also seen in the way staff and pupils treat each other. Historically, pupils have not achieved as well as they should have by the end of key stage 4, including in national assessments. Leaders have acted decisively to identify and address these failings. This oversight has helped make positive changes to the curriculum. Pupils value the way in which the school provides support for their emotional and physical welfare. For example, through counselling and mentoring. Bullying is increasingly rare and gets dealt with effectively. The school demands good conduct from everyone, and most pupils behave well. Pupils behave better and attend more regularly than was previously the case.

What the school should improve

• Due to previous weaknesses in the implementation of the curriculum, some older pupils have gaps in their knowledge in some subjects. The school needs to ensure that teachers have the expertise to assess accurately where pupils have gaps and implement the revised curriculum as effectively as possible.
• The number of pupils suspended from school has been too high. These pupils miss out on important learning. Leaders should ensure that they continue to embed the behaviour systems so that suspensions continue to reduce

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