Cowley International College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 March 2026

Pupils feel safe and are typically happy at this rapidly improving school. They value the time they get to spend with their friends and enjoy their learning. Pupils are confident that staff will resolve any concerns they have. Leaders deal with bullying effectively. There is a newly created positive culture for learning. Pupils are rising to leaders’ increased expectations of their achievement and behaviour. Pupils report that hearing derogatory language is rare. Staff and pupils describe a school that is more purposeful than before. Pupils move calmly and respectfully around the school. They follow clear routines. Lessons begin promptly. Pupils have positive relationships with each other and their teachers. Typically, pupils are engaged in lessons, and most pupils want to learn. Leaders have taken positive action to improve pupils’ rates of attendance. However, some pupils do not attend regularly enough. In the past, pupils did not learn consistently well across the curriculum, including in the sixth form. This includes disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This meant that many pupils left school without being well prepared for their next steps. However, there have been significant improvements to the curriculum and teaching. Pupils learn better than in the past. However, improvements are at an early stage in some subjects and have not had the full impact intended. Rich and varied enrichment activities are available to develop pupils' confidence and interests. Pupils speak enthusiastically about the dance and rock school performances they can take part in. They benefit from trips, including to museums, universities and a wide range of different countries. Pupils relish taking on leadership roles and raising money for charity. They participate in a range of clubs, including chess, debating, music, rugby and football. All pupils are included in these activities.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that consistently effective teaching throughout the school, including in the sixth form, leads to improved achievement for all pupils.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers' checks on pupils’ knowledge and understanding identify gaps and address misconceptions consistently well in all subjects and year groups.
• Leaders should ensure that staff are fully equipped and supported to adapt their teaching to meet the needs of all pupils as well as possible, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Leaders should continue to work on improving pupils’ attendance, including disadvantaged pupils.
• Leaders should continue to build on their ongoing work to improve communication with staff and the wider school community.

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