Cliff Park Ormiston Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 29 April 2025

'Everyday excellent behaviour' is an expectation at this school. Pupils rise to meet this expectation. They behave well in lessons and around the school. Pupils consistently show respect to their peers and adults. Pupils enjoy coming to school and are highly positive about the changes in the school. They feel well supported by their trusted adults. Pupils are also positive about the school's 'CARE' values and are keen to win awards relating to these values. Pupils benefit from helpful and timely careers advice, which supports and promotes their aspirations for the future. This extends to pupils attending engineering workshops and visiting local colleges. The school's four-part lesson structure helps promote high expectations of pupils' academic achievement. Pupils state that they like the new lesson structure, as this supports their learning. However, some do not yet achieve as well as they could. The number of opportunities for pupils to extend their talents and interests has increased over the last two years. These include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics club, boat building club, art and karaoke. These clubs are well attended. Pupil leadership roles include prefects, school councillors and well-being ambassadors. These roles help pupils prepare to take on responsibilities in their future lives.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, teachers do not address pupils' misconceptions rapidly enough. When this is the case, it is difficult for pupils to remember important content. As a result, some pupils are not yet building the key knowledge they need to achieve more highly. The school must ensure that all staff are appropriately trained to identify and address pupils' misperceptions.
• Rates of persistent absence for some disadvantaged pupils, including those with SEND, continue to be high. These pupils are not fully benefiting from all that school has to offer. The school should further develop its strategies to enable pupils to attend school regularly.
• Some parents do not feel that the school communicates with them effectively. As a result, some parents do not yet have a positive view of the improvements within the school. The school must further develop ways in which to communicate effectively to parents so they are better informed about the day-to-day work of the school.

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