Firbeck Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 June 2023

Firbeck Academy is an inclusive school. Relationships between pupils and staff are positive and respectful. Pupils and staff are proud of their school. Leaders encourage pupils to share their ideas, care for others and be confident learners. Leaders want pupils to 'work hard and be kind'. Pupils live up to these expectations. They understand leaders' high expectations of behaviour. Pupils behave well in lessons and during social times. They strive to earn 'Firbucks' for trying their best. Pupils understand the difference between falling out and bullying. Pupils say that if bullying does happen, leaders deal with it well. They feel safe in school. Leaders have high expectations of pupils' learning. They want all pupils to know that 'education is their passport to anywhere'. Pupils love learning. They told inspectors, 'Being at Firbeck is a great opportunity to have a great education.' Pupils experience learning through a wide variety of opportunities beyond the classroom. Pupils enjoy looking after the allotment, where they grow their own vegetables. They learn new skills in the woodland area, such as den making. Pupils are proud to be part of the interview team when new staff are appointed.

What the school should improve

• Checks on pupils' learning in some foundation subjects are not as helpful as those seen in the core subjects. This means that teachers do not consistently gather the right information about what pupils have learned over time. Leaders should support staff in their use of assessment so that gaps in learning are identified and pupils are able to build on prior learning with success.
• Despite leaders' best efforts, the proportion of pupils who are regularly absent from school is too high. As a result, they miss too much learning and do not achieve as well as they could. Leaders and staff should continue to work with pupils and their families to reinforce attendance expectations and to make sure that pupils attend school regularly so that they can achieve as well as they should.
• Some parents raise concerns that leaders do not communicate with them well enough. As a result, some parents do not understand the changes and improvements in the school. Leaders need to ensure that they have effective communication with all stakeholders so that parents and carers are fully informed about school improvements and changes.

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