Drapers' Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 March 2025

Pupils are safe here and their individual needs are well understood. They are fully included and happily welcomed to the school community. Pupils know that all staff will respond swiftly and effectively to any concerns. Pupils are encouraged to become leaders. For example, sixth-form students volunteer to help younger pupils with their reading. Pupils eagerly lead house events and produce the school newspaper. Sports leaders design activities to support their younger peers, including primary-aged children. The school is highly ambitious for their pupils. Pupils follow a broad and well-considered curriculum, including in the sixth form. Pupils make good progress through the curriculum. The school is continuing to work on improving outcomes in national examinations and ensuring that work is of high quality. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Pupils behave well in the vast majority of lessons. Pupils are encouraged to lead and take part in additional activities to further enhance their learning. These include photography, choir, football and debating. An increasing range of educational visits adds to the taught curriculum. Opportunities are provided by the school's sponsors, for example visits to Drapers' Hall and Queen Mary University.

What the school should improve

• On occasion, teachers do not check pupils' understanding as sharply as they could. As a result, some pupils continue to have gaps in their learning and are not fully ready to learn new content. The school must ensure that staff consistently check for and address any gaps in pupils' knowledge.
• In some subjects, some teachers do not ensure that pupils have completed tasks or check that pupils' work demonstrates a sufficient understanding of their learning. As a result, some pupils' work is not consistently of high quality. Leaders should ensure the use of consistent strategies across different subjects supports high-quality and accurate written work, which can be used to help pupils to learn and remember more.

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