Evolve Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 March 2026

The school provides a stable and safe environment for the pupils it serves. Pupils either attend this school for a short period of time or join the school permanently at different points in their education. Staff know the importance of quickly building positive relationships with the pupils who attend. They carefully model the behaviours they want pupils to emulate. Pupils feel they are respected and heard. However, there is more for the school to do in ensuring that pupils attend well. Pupils at the school have often experienced challenging personal circumstances in the past. The school supports pupils to understand their emotions. Staff teach pupils strategies to keep calm and not act impulsively. The school does not tolerate bullying. Staff check regularly on the appropriateness of peer relationships. Consequently, pupils mostly behave in an orderly manner around the school site. When behaviour issues do arise, staff respond appropriately and swiftly. Many pupils successfully reintegrate back into their mainstream schools or into new settings. The school enters pupils who stay at the school longer for suitable qualifications. These qualifications include end of key stage 2 national tests and a variety of awards and certificates in Year 11. The school ensures that reading is a priority. Pupils of all ages are given the support they need to become confident and fluent readers. Most pupils at the school are disadvantaged and have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school understands pupils' barriers to learning well. Disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND generally make appropriate progress through the curriculum. However, there is some variability in the quality of the school's work to adapt and adjust the curriculum and teaching in order to support pupils in their academic work. Pupils enjoy a range of experiences and opportunities that prepare them for their next steps and adulthood. These include, for instance, theatre trips and performances. Pupils also benefit from important talks on how to stay safe in the community.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that they identify trends and patterns in pupils' attendance with greater rigour. Leaders should use their analysis of pupils' attendance to inform timely and effective work that removes barriers to pupils' regular attendance and punctuality.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers adapt the curriculum and teaching to meet pupils' needs and engage pupils deeply in their learning. This includes making sure that staff consistently use identified strategies to support pupils' learning.
• Leaders, including trustees and local governors, should ensure that they establish clear and rigorous systems of oversight and quality assurance of school provision so that leaders' improvement actions have the intended impact.

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