Northampton International Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 October 2024

Pupils show positive attitudes and try hard with their learning. Staff have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. However, pupils do not all achieve as well as they should. While the curriculum has begun to improve, there is more work to do to ensure that all pupils gain the knowledge, skills and qualifications that they need to meet their aspirations. There is a real sense of community at the school. Pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds get along well together. Differences are celebrated. Many pupils are proud to be involved in leadership committees that work hard to create a culture in which everybody feels represented. There are committees responsible for 'religious inclusion', 'community outreach', 'neuro inclusivity', and many more, as well as a large student council. Pupils proudly meet the very high expectations that the school has of their behaviour. Classrooms are calm. Around school, pupils are polite and respectful. They feel safe at the school and trust staff to look after them. Caring staff provide excellent support for pupils when they need it, for example when pupils struggle with their mental health.

What the school should improve

• Teachers' checks of pupils' understanding are not consistent. They do not always make sure that pupils' prior knowledge is secure or that pupils have grasped new concepts fully. Gaps in pupils' knowledge or misconceptions are not always identified or resolved effectively. The school needs to ensure that teachers routinely check that pupils' knowledge and understanding are secure before the learning moves on.
• Teachers do not routinely adapt the curriculum to meet pupils' needs. This includes, but is not limited to, pupils with SEND and those who speak English as an additional language. Teaching is not always structured well enough to help pupils understand new information. Pupils sometimes struggle to access learning activities. At other times, pupils are not challenged to think deeply enough. The school needs to ensure that all pupils can access and learn the curriculum as intended.

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