City United Academy (CUA)

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 June 2025

The pupils who attend City United Academy have had negative experiences of school in the past, and many have missed large periods of their education. The moment they step over the threshold of this school, they are greeted with warmth, care and acceptance. It is a school full of love, laughter and staff who care passionately about the pupils. Pupils are happy, safe and listened to. Relationships are extremely positive. A supportive, respectful culture is evident throughout the school. Staff know pupils extremely well and are skilled at helping if pupils become anxious. Staff expect pupils to behave well, and they absolutely do. Staff model positive behaviour consistently. Lessons are calm, and breaktimes are harmonious. Bullying and other unwanted behaviours are rare. Pupils know that staff will sort issues quickly because the school's approach is so consistent and well known by all. There is a tangible ambition for pupils' learning. Staff are determined that pupils will be successful. Pupils display positive attitudes and are enthusiastic in lessons. Pupils often have gaps in their knowledge because of missed schooling in the past. But here, they achieve well because of the focused support teachers and mentors give them.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the school has not identified precisely enough what it wants pupils to know and remember. This means that pupils do not develop the same depth of knowledge across all subjects. The school should ensure that it identifies the most important knowledge pupils are expected to know for all areas of the curriculum. This will help pupils gain a suitable, secure depth of knowledge across the whole curriculum.

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