Churchill Academy & Sixth Form

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 May 2025

The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils gain qualifications that prepare them well for their next stages beyond school. Sixth form students move on to destinations which meet their interests and aspirations. Many go on to university, including the most selective institutions. Pupils appreciate the raised expectations of behaviour. Most pupils behave well and work hard in lessons. Social times are typically calm and harmonious. Pupils, staff and parents and carers agree that behaviour has improved and that pupils are safe at school. Opportunities for pupils to develop beyond the academic curriculum are varied and numerous. Pupil leadership makes a tangible contribution to the life of the school. For instance, sixth form students run some of the popular performing arts events that the school runs. The multitude of clubs available to pupils enable them to develop a range of talents and interests, including sporting and musical.

What the school should improve

• The support the school provides for some pupils to learn or to improve their behaviour and attendance is not consistently precise enough. This means that some pupils, particularly pupils with SEND and those who are disadvantaged, do not achieve or attend well enough nor improve their behaviour sufficiently. The school and trust need to ensure that pupils consistently get the right support to remove barriers to learning, attending or behaving well.
• Sometimes the school does not communicate well enough with parents and pupils when actions have been taken, or changes are being made. This means that there is sometimes a lack of confidence in what the school has done, including about instances of bullying. The school and trust need to improve communication with parents and pupils so that families know that their concerns have been dealt with, and understand the reasons for changes that affect them.

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