Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 June 2023

Pupils enjoy attending Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport. They get on well with each other and develop strong friendships. They say that this is a school where being different is accepted as the norm. The majority of pupils are keen to learn and behave well. However, a minority of pupils do not have a positive attitude to their learning. They sometimes disrupt the learning of other pupils. Pupils feel safe here and appreciate the support that they receive from staff. Pupils attend well. There is a comprehensive offer of clubs for pupils, including chess, computing and a range of sports. Regular theatre productions take place. There is also a range of leadership opportunities. These widen pupils' experiences and develop their self- confidence. Pupils, including those in the sixth form, follow a curriculum which is increasingly well adapted to meet the needs of all pupils. They learn how to revise and study independently. They meet a wide range of employers. Students in the sixth form also visit universities. Consequently, pupils are well prepared for the next stage in their education or employment.

What the school should improve

• Pupils do not routinely read widely and often. Leaders do not have complete knowledge of how much pupils read, or how well. This is because, until recently, reading was not given enough importance. This means that weaker readers cannot always access the curriculum as well as they should, and pupils do not always develop the literacy skills they need to make the progress that they should. Leaders should prioritise the development of reading across the wider curriculum and ensure that reading is tracked so they can evaluate the effectiveness of their plans.
• While leaders have high expectations of behaviour, this is not always understood and put into practice by teachers. As a result, in some lessons, a minority of pupils disrupt the learning of others. Leaders need to provide training and closely monitor implementation so that teachers are consistent and effective in their approach to behaviour.
• Although the careers programme is comprehensive in many ways, pupils do not gain enough experience of what it is like to take part in the world of employment. Leaders should ensure that pupils in both key stages 4 and 5 take part in meaningful opportunities to experience the world of work.

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