Axe Valley Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 September 2023

Community runs through the heart of Axe Valley Academy. Pupils enjoy welcoming visitors and sharing their experiences of the school. Relationships between staff and pupils are based on mutual respect. Pupils feel safe in school and appreciate the support that adults provide to them. Parents are supportive of the school. They say the school communicates with them well. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school site. Adults challenge behaviour that does not meet the school's expectation. Bullying does occur occasionally, but pupils will report it to adults. When pupils or parents raise concerns, they are confident the school will listen and act. The school has high aspirations for all pupils. It has a clear vision for pupils to achieve well academically and to develop well personally. The school has redeveloped the curriculum significantly in recent years. As a result, pupils are better prepared for their future studies. Pupils enjoy being part of a house. Pupils earn house points in lessons, as well as during competitions and school events. Anning, Chudleigh and Coram houses enter into good natured competition for house points. House captains act as role models for other pupils.

What the school should improve

• Assessment does not always accurately identify gaps in pupils' knowledge. This means that teachers sometimes do not deal with misconceptions before they teach new content. The school and the trust should develop assessment practices that show teachers precisely what pupils know and can do, so that pupils can establish a firm foundation for future learning.
• Teaching approaches are not adapted precisely enough to meet the needs of some pupils with SEND. This means that these pupils do not learn some elements of the curriculum as well as their peers. The school and the trust should ensure that the needs of pupils with SEND are met consistently and effectively.

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