Astrea Academy Sheffield

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 30 November 2022

Leaders are passionate about ensuring that pupils receive an ambitious curriculum. That vision is realised. Pupils across the school benefit from a good quality of education. They are supported by kind teachers who help them to do well. The majority of pupils behave well. Those in the early years quickly settle into new routines and listen attentively to their teachers. Across both primary and secondary phases, lessons and corridors are calm. Pupils focus on their learning. Bullying is rare. Pupils are confident to report any concerns. They know that adults will help them. However, too many secondary-age pupils receive detentions and suspensions. Too many of these are the result of a cumulation of negative points for minor transgressions. Parents of these pupils are concerned by this. There is a strong culture of tolerance and respect for others at this school. Primary- age pupils told inspectors, 'Everyone is treated the same, we are all happy.' Leaders are proud of their Astrea 'Promise' in the primary phase and the 'Electives' in the secondary phase. These enable pupils to have access to a range of wider experiences. Primary-age pupils have worked with a local food bank, and key stage 3 pupils talk enthusiastically about the different clubs and trips they have taken part in. These opportunities help pupils to understand the wider world around them.

What the school should improve

• Some parents have concerns about the application of the behaviour policy in the secondary setting. This is having a negative effect on the school's relationship with some parents and carers. Leaders should work more closely with parents and carers to develop positive relationships that will enable all stakeholders to contribute to further success for all pupils.
• Leaders' behaviour policy results in secondary-age pupils frequently receiving detentions and suspensions for an accumulation of low-level poor behaviour. This results in pupils missing important learning unnecessarily. Leaders should ensure that consequences are fair and proportionate, and enable pupils to engage positively with the school.
• In a few subjects, pupils are not able to recall important knowledge from the taught curriculum. This is because some teachers do not have a sufficiently strong subject knowledge. They do not consistently pick up on gaps in pupils' knowledge and address these. Leaders should ensure that teachers have the support and training to identify and address any gaps in pupils' knowledge so that all pupils achieve well.

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