Lancaster Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 27 February 2024

Lancaster Academy is a welcoming, inclusive school. The school embraces the diversity of its pupils. Many pupils join at different points of the school year and are new to this country. Some have experienced significant challenges prior to arriving at this school. Whenever they join, each new pupil gets the help they need to settle in swiftly. Pupils from different backgrounds and cultures, and with a range of talents and needs, form a harmonious community. Pupils treat each other respectfully. The mutually respectful relationships between staff and pupils are evident in this caring school. The school has high expectations for pupils, and of how pupils should behave. There are clear and consistent routines for each part of the school day, which help pupils to know what the school expects. Pupils are happy at this school. They learn that bullying is not acceptable, and it is rare. Pupils have confidence that any incidents of bullying will be dealt with effectively. Pupils have trust in their teachers. They are happy to talk to them about any worries that they might have. As a result, pupils feel safe and are safe. The school makes sure that pupils are taught wider life skills. For example, there are workshops in place to help the boys grow into responsible and kind young men. The 'READY' values are alive in this school. Pupils are very proud of their diverse community. They celebrate each other's faiths and cultures. For example, they enjoy 'Cultural Days', wearing their cultural dress and learning about different cultures.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum is not yet implemented as effectively as it could be in a few subjects. Occasionally, teachers move on too quickly and teaching activities do not help pupils gain the planned knowledge and skills as well as they could. Consequently, any gaps or misconceptions in pupils' knowledge and understanding are not always addressed, and some pupils are unable to apply what they have learned accurately and independently. The school should continue to develop teachers' pedagogical skills so that all pupils embed knowledge securely and can apply it fluently, leading to improved outcomes.
• Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough, particularly those pupils with SEND or those who are disadvantaged. Therefore, these pupils miss out on accessing the curriculum, including some essential learning. This hinders their progress through subject curriculums. The school should ensure that strategies to reduce absence can be sustained over a long enough period to change the culture of attendance for pupils.

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