Burnt Mill Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 February 2023

Pupils learn in a disruption-free environment where pupils behave well. They are keen to contribute to interesting lessons and have many opportunities to discuss and debate ideas. Pupils receive appropriate support, where they need it, as teachers regularly check what they know. Leaders have ensured that a new curriculum, with high expectations, is now in place. Pupils now build the depth and breadth of their knowledge effectively over time. They learn important knowledge well and produce high-quality work. Some pupils leaving school have not made the progress they should in some subjects. This is because of weaknesses in the previous curriculum that have now been addressed. Pupils are happy and safe. They have trusted adults who they go to if they have worries. Pupils value worry boxes and kindness buddies. Those who need extra support can talk issues through with staff and resolve them. Some pupils and parents still have worries about how issues such as bullying are followed up, as staff do not always communicate their actions well enough. Almost all pupils participate in a rich range of extra-curricular opportunities. They take pride in their 'Be More' passports, where they record the range of challenges they participate in.

What the school should improve

• The previous curriculum in some subjects did not enable pupils to develop a deep and secure understanding of important subject knowledge. As a result, in these subjects, some pupils have not made the progress they should over time. Although leaders have now taken action to implement a new effective curriculum, leaders must ensure that this new curriculum enables all pupils to build the depth of their knowledge effectively over time, so that pupils make the progress they should.
• Leaders have set high expectations for pupils' behaviour which are largely followed. Although suitable support and follow-up are in place to support pupils effectively where they do not meet these expectations, leaders have not always communicated well enough with parents regarding this. This includes communication regarding the effective support that is put in place to support pupils' well-being. As a result, some parents and pupils question the effectiveness of support and follow-up, as they have not had it well enough communicated to them. Leaders need to ensure that support and follow-up regarding concerns about behaviour or bullying are clearly communicated, so parents and pupils feel confident about the support they receive and how incidents are addressed.

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