Farringdon Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 June 2026

Pupils are safe and happy at Farringdon Academy. They benefit from the warm, caring relationships they have with staff. Pupils behave very well. They respond well to the clear routines that are in place. However, too many pupils are regularly absent from school. This impacts on their learning and their engagement in enrichment opportunities. Pupils enjoy their learning. They show pride in their work and are keen to earn rewards for trying their best. Children in the early years are taught to read and write from the earliest opportunity. Pupils benefit from well-designed curriculums that are typically taught well. They develop a broad range of knowledge and skills in preparation for their next steps. Staff know pupils well. Pupils who need some extra help, particularly some who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive the support that they need. This reduces their barriers to learning. Pupils progress through the curriculum well from their starting points. They generally achieve close to their peers nationally in assessments at the end of key stage 2. Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged and those with SEND, benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities. They learn how to build positive friendships and how to keep themselves safe in their local community. Pupils enjoy visits to the theatre, local museums and landmarks. They engage in charitable activities, such as collecting food for the local food bank and making poppies for Remembrance Day. These experiences help pupils to reflect on their morals and beliefs. Pupils in the school choir enjoy performing to parents and carers and for elderly residents in the local care home. Older pupils are role models for their peers. Pupils show care and respect for others. Bullying is rare and responded to effectively. Pupils are well prepared for their next steps.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to embed their attendance strategy to further improve pupils' attendance and reduce persistent absence.
• Leaders should continue to ensure that reading is taught consistently well throughout the school, so that more pupils learn to read confidently and fluently and reach the expected standard in reading by the end of key stage 2.
• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum enables pupils to deepen their knowledge and achieve highly, including at the end of key stage 2.
• Leaders should continue to build on improvements in the early years provision, specifically targeting support that is tailored to the individual needs of pupils, so that more children with low starting points are able to achieve a good level of development by the end of Reception.

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