New Focus Education

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 March 2026

Pupils come to this school following previous disruption to their education. The school's systems for identifying and meeting pupils' needs lack precision. The school does not adapt the curriculum well enough to meet pupils' needs and address gaps in their basic knowledge and skills. The school's relationships and sex education policy does not have sufficient regard to statutory guidance. Staff do not receive the depth of training they need to meet pupils' diverse needs. Teaching is not consistent or rigorous enough in checking pupils' understanding and extending pupils' learning. Pupils' progress through the curriculum is too variable, as is the quality of their work. The school does not evaluate the quality of its provision well enough. The school welcomes pupils so that they settle quickly in their new environment. Pupils feel safe at school and start to make friends, some for the first time. Their attendance improves considerably. Pupils are generally polite and respectful. Pupils and staff develop warm working relationships. On the whole, pupils’ behaviour is appropriate. Staff deal with any lapses in behaviour calmly and effectively. Instances of bullying and discriminatory language are rare. When they do occur, staff generally take a positive approach, teaching pupils about appropriate behaviour and language. Pupils' self-esteem and confidence grow. Although pupils have only been at the school for a short time, the school is already supporting them to think about their futures as members of the local community. Pupils learn about potential careers through visits to local employers. A few pupils have opportunities for work experience, tailored to their individual aspirations. Pupils benefit from the wide range of experiences the school provides, such as trips to the gym and the local shops. Pupils enjoy skiing and rock climbing, with opportunities to gain certification in these activities if they pursue their interest and participation.

What the school should improve

• The school should ensure that it identifies pupils' needs, including any special educational needs and/or disabilities, with greater precision. It should ensure that it implements appropriate support to meet pupils' needs and reviews the impact of such support systematically.
• The school should ensure that the curriculum is adapted to meet pupils' needs and to address gaps in pupils' learning, particularly with regard to gaps in pupils' basic knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics.
• The school should ensure that teaching is rigorous in checking for pupils' understanding and in providing pupils with activities that extend their knowledge and skills. This is so pupils consistently make appropriate progress through the curriculum and produce work of a high quality.
• The school should ensure that it provides secondary age pupils with relationships and sex education that has appropriate regard to statutory guidance.
• The school should enhance the professional development programme for staff to ensure that it gives staff the knowledge and skills they need to meet the full range of pupils' diverse needs.
• The proprietor must establish more rigorous systems of oversight and quality assurance and ensure that these systems are implemented effectively so that all the independent school standards are consistently met.

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