Co-op Academy Brierley

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 May 2026

Pupils are cared for deeply at this school. They arrive happy, settle quickly and are ready to learn. Staff greet them warmly, and help them to feel calm and ready for the day ahead. Pupils form positive relationships with staff who know them extremely well. Many pupils have had difficult or disrupted experiences of education before joining the school. However, they quickly feel safe, welcome and understood when they join the school. Staff take time to learn about pupils’ interests, needs and family circumstances. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend regularly. They look forward to learning and take pride in their achievements. Pupils benefit from an ambitious curriculum that is personalised to meet their needs. Specialist teaching builds pupils’ confidence and ensures that they make suitable progress. Staff make adaptations to remove pupils’ barriers to learning. Pupils with sensory and physical needs are well supported to engage fully in learning. Leaders have high expectations and are ambitious for pupils to succeed. Pupils behave calmly because routines are consistent. Staff respond to pupils with patience and care. Pupils feel safe and trust staff to help if someone is unkind. Pupils develop independence. They learn to make choices, solve problems and manage everyday tasks. Enrichment is a key part of school life. Pupils enjoy a range of activities that help them to discover new interests and build confidence including swimming, animal care and construction. Pastoral care is a strength of the school. Staff quickly notice changes in pupils and respond with kindness. Pupils are supported throughout the school day. Pupils feel a deep sense of belonging. They know they can be themselves. The school’s inclusive culture ensures pupils embrace what the school has to offer. Leaders want pupils to be their ‘Brierley best’ and pupils rise to this ambition.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that staff consistently prioritise the most important knowledge that pupils need to learn which embeds pupils’ prior knowledge enabling them to build their understanding securely.
• Leaders should ensure that staff have the knowledge and expertise to identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge promptly and consistently so that pupils develop detailed knowledge and skills and produce high quality work.

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