Ark John Keats Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 January 2023

Pupils at Ark John Keats Academy are polite and friendly. This is an inclusive school where pupils treat each other with respect and kindness. Pupils are safe here. Staff encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own actions. Pupils mix happily with each other at breaktimes and lunchtimes. Leaders have high expectations of every pupil. They want all pupils to achieve well at school and to go on to lead successful lives and careers. Leaders ensure that staff meet pupils' individual needs. Pupils respond well to leaders' expectations. They develop a growing confidence in their own abilities. Pupils behave well. Leaders have established a clear set of routines. This has helped to create a calm and orderly environment. In lessons, pupils focus on their work and listen to their teachers. If their focus wanes, teachers are quick to address it. Bullying is quite rare. When it does happen, leaders deal with it effectively. Leaders prioritise pupils' personal and social development. They provide pupils with a wide range of experiences. Pupils can join clubs, including chess and debating, and take part in music and sporting activities. There are visits to places of cultural interest, including museums, galleries and places of worship.

What the school should improve

• Some teachers teach new content too quickly. They do not check, systematically, that pupils have secured an understanding of that content. This results in some pupils not fully understanding the new content taught and being unable to complete related work successfully. Leaders should ensure that teachers adapt their teaching to enable pupils to secure new knowledge before moving on to the next stage in pupils' learning.

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