Nightingale Community Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 April 2026

Pupils experience a calm, welcoming and friendly school. They are greeted every day by staff who know them well and notice how they are feeling. Pupils settle quickly because well-established routines and clear expectations make school life predictable and safe. Behaviour is calm and respectful. Pupils are supported by staff who help them understand their complex feelings, manage problems and put things right. Breaktimes are well-supervised social times where pupils have space to play games and engage in sport. Pupils can also choose to take time to be quiet and relax in social spaces. Older and younger pupils support each other with kindness. Pupils find their learning manageable because classes are small and teachers explain things clearly. Pupils get help when they need it, including support with reading and writing. Over time, pupils develop confidence in their ability to learn and concentrate. They learn how to focus on tasks and take pride in finishing work. At this school, pupils' achievement is about more than test results. Pupils make progress from very different starting points. Many arrive having missed a lot of school. Some find learning or being around others very hard. As pupils learn to manage their emotions and trust staff, their attendance and behaviour improve. This allows learning to build over time. Pupils gain qualifications that help and interest them. Pupils and staff work together positively in this caring and purposeful school community where relationships matter. Pupils know that trusted adults, safe spaces and access to therapy are available when needed. Pupils learn about safety, friendships and choices. They talk openly about worries and know who to go to for help. There are many opportunities to help pupils build their confidence outside of school. These include cultural and creative visits around London, sport, creative activities and practical learning such as farming, construction, cooking and mechanics. Pupils receive extensive careers advice and work experience so that they are very well prepared for the future.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to further develop consistency in teaching so that teachers confidently check what pupils already know and move learning on when knowledge is secure, and a more systematic and consistent approach to pupils’ handwriting across all phases is implemented.

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