Corley Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 January 2026

To be a pupil at Corley Academy is to know you belong, are valued and heard. Pupils appreciate how they are treated as individuals who are allowed to be themselves. They are understandably proud of their school. Leaders and staff know pupils very well and demonstrate a deep understanding of each pupil's special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This knowledge is consistently applied across all aspects of school life, ensuring that pupils’ SEND needs are fully considered in everything that happens. As a result, pupils are able to access and benefit from the full range of learning, enrichment activities and experiences on offer. These include all manner of exciting activities, including using the gym, growing food on the allotment or becoming racing drivers in the school go-karts. Pupils' academic success, personal development and preparation for life are at the forefront of leaders' and governors' minds. The culture at the school is overwhelmingly supportive and welcoming. Relationships between pupils and staff are highly positive, warm and respectful. Pupils love coming to school, engaging in learning and being part of a community that enables them to thrive. Pupils take advantage of the increasingly broad range of qualifications the school offers. They are attending more regularly, work hard and generally achieve well across the curriculum. Behaviour is highly positive. Pupils are thoughtful towards each other and accepting of difference. They feel and are safe in the highly inclusive learning environment. Bullying and poor behaviour are rare. If either happens, pupils are absolutely confident that their trusted members of staff will support them straight away. Pupil voice is key to the direction of travel for the school. Whether they are interviewing prospective staff, offering suggestions for the curriculum or attending 'the Baraza' or community council to share their views, pupils make a genuine, tangible difference to their school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should strengthen how teachers develop pupils' foundational knowledge and skills, including in writing and at the earlier stages of learning to read, to enable pupils to improve the quality of their work across the curriculum.

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