Birches Head Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 June 2026

Pupils, staff, parents and carers talk about how much the school has improved over the last couple of years. They can see that leaders’ actions are making day-to-day life in school better. Pupils feel safe and cared for. There is a confidence that if any bullying happens, it will be dealt with effectively. Pupils understand what is expected of their behaviour. They appreciate the clear systems, such as the morning ‘line up’, that help them to meet these expectations. Most lessons are disruption-free. Social times are calm. Pupils value the rewards they achieve for making the right choices. However, there are some pupils who have not fully bought into the school’s ‘be kind’ culture. Their attitudes towards some of their peers are disrespectful. The comments they make mean that some pupils do not feel valued by everyone in school. Pupils who arrive during the year, including those new to the country, are welcomed and settle in well. Support is given to all pupils who face barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing. This has begun to make a difference to how well these pupils attend and behave in school. Most pupils want to be successful learners. When teaching is effective and builds carefully on what pupils have learned before, they achieve well. However, the curriculum is not always delivered in a way that helps pupils to engage with their learning or close knowledge gaps they may have. Consequently, pupils’ achievement varies between subjects and lessons. More pupils are gaining the qualifications needed for their next steps in education, employment or training than in previous years. The school’s ‘be more’ curriculum helps pupils develop the skills and personal qualities that will help them to lead a ‘choice-filled life’. Pupils talk positively about how the range of extra-curricular activities has increased and the different leadership roles they can take on within the school. They like being able to discuss real-life scenarios in their personal, social and health education lessons.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that their existing priorities and actions become embedded and continue to show improvement in raising examination outcomes, reducing the number of suspensions and reducing persistent absence for pupils who face barriers to their learning and/or wellbeing.
• Leaders should ensure that all staff develop the expertise to deliver the curriculum effectively so that pupils secure the key learning and depth of knowledge they need for future success. This includes staff making appropriate adaptations to learning during lessons.
• Leaders should ensure that all pupils understand the importance of treating each other with respect and the impact of their language and attitudes on each other.

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