Futures Institute Banbury

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 December 2022

Each day, pupils come to school eager and ready to learn. They know that working hard is expected and that, by doing so, everyone can achieve. Pupils are keen to talk about their interest and depth of knowledge in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. Sixth-form students, in particular, have high aspirations for their future careers, with many planning to be scientists and engineers. Pupils value the thoughtful and high-quality careers curriculum. A wealth of opportunities are on offer that give pupils a realistic insight into the world of work. This has a particular focus on the employment opportunities available in the local area. Partnerships with different employers help to foster pupils' understanding of their own potential in addressing worldwide problems. Sixth-form students can enthusiastically describe their recent research project with a national automotive manufacturer to explore the issue of renewable fuels and the challenges of hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles. The individual aspirations and needs of pupils are known and supported. Care and thought are provided daily by staff. Pupils acknowledge that, while bullying is rare, there are occasions where pupils can be unkind. They are, however, very clear that staff deal with any reported incidents sensitively and swiftly.

What the school should improve

• The school's curriculum is not yet securely and consistently embedded in a small number of subjects. Pupils are therefore not always confident in developing and using the identified knowledge and skills in these subjects, and therefore they do not achieve as highly as they could. Leaders should continue to monitor the full implementation of the curriculum, ensuring staff have the required detailed knowledge and expertise to deliver this effectively.

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