Hertswood Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 February 2025

Pupils feel safe and happy at this school. They trust staff and know that any concerns that they raise will be taken seriously and addressed effectively. This creates a secure and supportive environment where pupils can thrive, both academically and personally. Leaders have high expectations for the achievement of all pupils. This fosters an ambitious culture that prepares pupils for a range of aspirational next steps. As a result, pupils achieve well and move on to worthwhile opportunities after leaving school. The school promotes a culture of respect and responsibility. Pupils are polite, courteous, and behave well, both in lessons and around the site. Learning is rarely disrupted. For pupils who find it harder to manage their own behaviour, the school has put effective and innovative strategies in place to help them to succeed. This includes staff working closely with families to ensure a consistent approach to supporting pupils. Leadership opportunities, such as the school council and sixth-form leadership team, enable pupils to develop valuable skills and confidence. A wide range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, drama and subject-specific clubs, further enrich pupils' experience. Participation in these activities fosters collaboration, creativity and well- rounded development, ensuring that pupils leave with skills that extend beyond the classroom.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes, pupils are not given sufficient opportunity to develop their learning through appropriate discussion. This means that pupils do not have enough chances to connect, rehearse and apply their learning in order for it to become part of their long-term memory. The school should ensure that teachers facilitate appropriate discussion of subject content to support pupils' learning over time.
• At times, some teaching does not check pupils' understanding well enough. This means that, on occasion, gaps in learning are not rectified and pupils are moved on to new learning too quickly. The school should ensure that it supports teachers with the knowledge that they need to check pupils' understanding to ensure pupils have a strong foundation in their knowledge before moving on to new learning.

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