Filey Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 March 2025

The school has undergone significant change in recent years. Pupils now achieve better outcomes in several subjects. Pupils understand how to conduct themselves around school. Despite this fact, some pupils struggle to meet the school's high expectations in lessons. The school has reduced rates of persistent absence considerably. However, a proportion of pupils are still absent too often; this is especially the case for some vulnerable pupil groups. The school is ambitious that all pupils will succeed. Leaders have established clear expectations about how the curriculum should be implemented. However, these expectations are not consistently realised. Some lessons are not carefully adapted to meet the needs of all pupils. This can lead to pupils becoming disengaged or not understanding the curriculum. These pupils have gaps in their knowledge and skills which impact on how well prepared they are for the next stage of their education. Incidents of bullying and discriminatory language have reduced significantly over time. Pupils know that it is important to be tolerant of others. Pupils contribute constructively to their school community through charity work and leadership opportunities. Pupils benefit from independent careers advice and guidance as well as input from local businesses. Visits to further education settings inspire pupils for their futures.

What the school should improve

• The school's curriculum is not consistently well implemented. Sometimes, teaching does not use appropriate activities to support learning. At other times, teaching does not check that pupils have understood new knowledge and skills before moving on in lessons. This hinders how well pupils understand and remember the intended curriculum. The school should ensure that the curriculum is implemented consistently well across all subjects.
• Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough. Rates of persistent absence, while improving, are still too high. The school's actions to improve pupils' attendance are not focused sharply enough on overcoming the specific barriers pupils face. Some pupils do not attend regularly enough and miss valuable learning as a result. The school should refine its strategies to reduce pupils' persistent absence further.
• The school's behaviour management systems are not as effective as they might be. Incidents of poor behaviour persist. Some pupils are still suspended from school too often. This is disrupting lessons and learning is being lost. The school should refine its approach to behaviour management to ensure that patterns of poor behaviour reduce.
• Some aspects of the school's personal development programme are not taught as effectively as they should be. Pupils lack in-depth knowledge of other faiths, cultures and British law and government. The school should ensure that staff have the skills and knowledge to implement a high-quality personal development programme.
• Important school improvement priorities are now being addressed. More recent changes are only just beginning to take effect. Some pupils have not benefited from the high-quality educational experience the school intends. The school should continue to provide the capacity and expertise to act on the most pressing priorities at pace.

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