Ash Hill Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

This school is ambitious that all pupils will succeed. Staff are highly motivated and well skilled. Positive relationships between staff and pupils, based on mutual respect, permeate the school. Pupils know that staff want the best for them. Pupils benefit from a variety of enriching opportunities. These include visits to the theatre, universities, local businesses and an outdoor pursuits centre. Leaders continually raise pupils' aspirations. The school has high expectations of how pupils should conduct themselves. Pupils move around the school building calmly, respect their environment and wear their uniform with pride. Pastoral care is of a high quality. Staff understand individual pupil's needs and support them well in the classroom. Over time, academic achievement at the school has improved significantly. Disadvantaged pupils now achieve well in many subjects. The importance of good behaviour and attendance are regularly celebrated. Many pupils work hard to achieve these rewards. The school provides deliberate opportunities for pupils to develop their character and spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding. This includes the 'pledge' system that encourages pupils' wider participation in the life of the school and local community. Pupils talk with enthusiasm about these opportunities. Parents recognise the positive changes that have taken place at the school over time.

What the school should improve

• A small, but significant, number of pupils are suspended from school too regularly or are persistently absent. This is particularly the case for some vulnerable pupil groups. This impacts negatively on their educational experience and academic outcomes. The school should further refine its approach to reducing incidents of suspension and rates of persistent absence, especially for those pupils in receipt of the pupil premium or with SEND.

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