Co-op Academy Grange

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 February 2025

Most pupils enjoy school and want to do well. Staff have positive relationships with pupils and take the time to get to know them. Pupils know that they can seek help when they need it. As a result, most pupils say that they feel safe and supported. Pupils generally behave well during lessons. However, there is a small group of pupils who disrupt social times and are inconsiderate of others. Leaders are aware of these pupils and the impact they are having. Older pupils appreciate how their experience of school has improved recently. However, some pupils are not doing as well as they should be due to the gaps in their curriculum knowledge. The personal development provision for pupils includes a wide variety of clubs and trips. Many pupils make use of the lunchtime and after-school activities, such as different sports, technology clubs and the library. There is an active 'student leadership' group, with representation from each form group. Pupils feel increasingly listened to, supported and valued. Pupils are taught about different faiths, religions and cultures. The school helps pupils to stay safe online. There is bespoke pastoral support that helps pupils to take more responsibility for their actions and respect others.

What the school should improve

• The well-planned curriculum is not delivered sufficiently well across or in subjects, including in PSHE. This means that some pupils have gaps in their knowledge and are not able to build effectively on what they already know. The school should ensure that it supports staff to secure pupils' understanding of the curriculum effectively.
• Attendance and punctuality are not as strong as they need to be. As a result of absence and lateness, pupils miss valuable time in lessons and miss out on learning. The school should support pupils to access more of the ambitious curriculum being delivered, as well as ensure that pupils go promptly to their lessons so that no learning time is lost.
• The number of suspensions of pupils for poor behaviour is high but decreasing. This results in pupils missing valuable learning time. The school should ensure that more is done to support pupils receiving suspensions and enable them to access the curriculum fully.
• Some pupils with SEND are not receiving effective support to enable them to progress through the curriculum. As a result, some pupils with SEND, particularly those who do not have an education, health and care plan, are not able to engage fully with the ambitious curriculum. The school needs to ensure that learning is appropriately adapted in all subjects and that it monitors the progress of all pupils with SEND through the curriculum.

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