Haberdashers' Abraham Darby

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 February 2026

Pupils enjoy attending this school. They speak clearly about feeling safe and cared for because trusted adults listen and act when concerns arise. Staff remain vigilant for any safeguarding concerns and use their training effectively. Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe, both in and beyond school. The school’s values of ‘Aspiration, Respect and Excellence’ shape the calm and courteous relationships observed in lessons. Most pupils enjoy their learning. Leaders provide an ambitious curriculum. Teachers structure some lessons well, and pupils engage with the high expectations staff set. However, teachers deliver lessons with varying levels of consistency and effectiveness. Some pupils do not receive sufficient challenge in their work. The degree to which teachers check understanding varies across subjects. Staff provide visible support for pupils with additional needs and use appropriate plans to guide their work. Even so, teachers do not always apply adaptations consistently, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. As a result, while some pupils achieve in line with national averages, others do not learn as well as they could. Pupils behave calmly in lessons, and behaviour continues to improve. Clearer routines and a positive reward system create a purposeful learning environment. Pupils benefit from strengthened pastoral care, which responds to their individual needs. Although disruption is uncommon, some pupils still interrupt learning in a minority of lessons, and particularly outside classrooms. Staff address bullying whenever it occurs. Attendance continues to rise, though a number of pupils still attend less regularly than they should. Tutor-time reading and targeted interventions help pupils to catch up, although practice varies. Pupils benefit from appropriate careers guidance. Enrichment and the broad extra-curricular offer, including rugby, netball, music and external visits, support pupils’ wellbeing and aspirations. The school’s ‘Insight’ programme supports most pupils to be prepared for life in modern Britain. Sixth-form students experience stronger teaching, and nearly all progress to their chosen destinations, when they leave school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders and governors must ensure that actions are implemented consistently well and evaluated swiftly, so that all pupils and students receive a high-quality education and raise aspirations.
• Leaders should continue to, and further strengthen, work with pupils and their families to improve attendance for all.
• Leaders should continue to ensure that all staff take responsibility for correcting poor behaviour. They should also address pupils’ behaviour outside of lessons to secure consistent high standards of behaviour.
• Leaders should ensure that staff consistently implement effective strategies that enable pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to access and learn the full curriculum.
• Leaders should develop staff expertise to use assessment effectively to quickly identify and address gaps in learning for all pupils and post-16 students.
• Leaders should make sure that all teachers identify and address misconceptions promptly so that pupils make at least expected progress.

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