King's Academy Bay House

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 January 2025

The school has improved since the last inspection significantly. Pupils' behaviour is calm and purposeful. Attitudes to learning are mostly positive. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive. The school's ethos of being happy, successful and a safe environment enables pupils to develop values of kindness, resilience and self-regulation. This helps prepare them for their chosen futures successfully. Pupils follow the school's clear routines and act respectfully towards each other and staff. Some pupils told inspectors that unkindness still occurs occasionally, despite all pupils recognising that behaviour is better now compared with last year. There are new and effective systems in place to support pupils when conflict occurs. For example, some pupils are trained as anti-bullying ambassadors. When reported, the school deals robustly and effectively with bullying. All pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), follow an ambitious and well-designed curriculum. Pupils regularly rise to meet the school's high expectations, particularly in the sixth form, where students study diligently and achieve strong outcomes. The school cultivates leadership skills actively. Students relish these opportunities, including in the sixth form. For example, many eagerly contribute to the Houses Parliament, Ambassador programmes, and Bay House Buzz, take part in the Model United Nations programme or join the growing number of successful students who achieve the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

What the school should improve

• The school's approach to assessment in some subjects, particularly in key stage 3, is emerging. Teachers do not always check that pupils have secured key knowledge and skills. The school should ensure that assessment is used effectively in all subjects so that pupils' learning is secure before they move on.
• Adaptation of the curriculum and strategies to support pupils with SEND are still being refined. The support that some pupils receive in lessons is not as effective as it could be. The school should continue its work to enhance and embed good practice in supporting pupils with SEND in all subjects.
• Some incidents of low-level disruption in lessons are not addressed effectively enough. The rate of suspensions remains too high. This means that some learning is disturbed and some pupils risk falling further behind. The school must continue to focus on ensuring that high standards of behaviour are maintained in all areas of the school and suspensions continue to reduce.

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