Dixons Croxteth Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 January 2026

Since the school joined the trust, it has been on a rapid journey of improvement. This ongoing positive transformation permeates every aspect of the school's provision. The proportion of pupils in the school who are disadvantaged is well above the national average. Leaders' work to turn the school around is underpinned by their dedication to raising pupils' aspirations and improving their life opportunities. Leaders have created a community with a real sense of pride and belonging at its heart. This is built upon the warm and trusting relationships that pupils have with staff and with each other. Leaders act decisively to resolve any concerns that pupils may have, including rare instances of bullying. Pupils feel happy, valued and safe in school. This includes the growing number of girls in key stage 3 who have joined since the school became co- educational. Increasingly, pupils value their education and this is evident in their improving rates of attendance. Many enjoy their learning. In lessons, pupils usually settle quickly to focus on the task in hand. Pupils are benefiting from the improvements that leaders have made to the quality of the curriculum and teaching. Staff routinely use teaching strategies that help to reduce barriers to learning that pupils may have. In the main, pupils build appropriate knowledge across the curriculum. However, these improvements are not reflected in pupils' achievement in national tests at the end of Year 11. This remains well below the national average. Pupils are encouraged to lead change and to actively support others. For instance, some pupils have taken responsibility for redesigning the 'heart space' at the centre of the school. Others have trained as 'peer mental health champions' to support any peers having a difficult time. These opportunities beyond the curriculum help pupils to develop an array of skills that prepare them well to become positive members of modern society.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to swiftly identify and address gaps in the knowledge of older pupils so that these pupils benefit fully from the improvements to curriculum and teaching and achieve well.
• Leaders should continue to implement their strategy to reduce any ongoing barriers to pupils' attendance so that the number of pupils who attend school regularly continues to increase.

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