Engage Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 February 2023

Engage Academy is a place where pupils learn the academic and social skills for their next steps in education. Leaders have high expectations for pupils. They ensure that staff share their ambition for pupils to re-engage with learning. Skilled staff enable pupils to re- focus on learning and develop positive school routines. Pupils are well supported to get back on track. Pupils join the school when they have been permanently excluded or need time out from mainstream school. Most pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Some pupils are assessed for an education, health and care (EHC) plan while they attend. The school is inclusive. It is supportive of pupils' individual needs. Pupils who need help to manage their behaviour are well supported. Pupils learn to express their views productively. They are taught how to engage with views that are different to their own. Leaders ensure that pupils experience a wide variety of personal development opportunities. The forest school adds a valuable dimension to the curriculum offer. Pupils learn to develop positive relationships with adults and other pupils. They learn about positive mental health and being physically healthy. The school is small and well resourced. Staff know pupils very well. Staff and pupils have strong relationships. These are evident throughout the school. This ensures that most pupils are happy in school. If bullying were to occur, pupils know staff would support them.

What the school should improve

• Pupils' written work is underdeveloped. The depth and quality of written content vary across subjects. Pupils do not always form letters legibly and present their learning clearly. Leaders should provide pupils with opportunities to further develop their handwriting and lessons to improve the depth of written work.
• Leaders do not check pupils' time out of classrooms precisely when they are calming. This means they cannot track patterns or identify missed learning. Leaders should develop systems to monitor pupils' time out of lessons. They should use the information to support pupils with their behaviour and inform teachers about gaps in learning.

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