Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 September 2022

Pupils say that they are safe and happy at school. They are very well cared for. Typically, a younger pupil commented, 'Pupils feel safe and have lots of wonderful staff to help them out.' Pupils appreciate the distinctiveness of the school with its strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Staff have high expectations of pupils. Most pupils behave well. The school is calm and focused. Relationships are polite and respectful. Pupils engage well in lessons. Pupils and staff value the school's new behaviour policy, which has improved conduct and attitudes. Pupils say that there is some bullying. They are confident that adults deal with it effectively when it occurs. Sixth-form students benefit from an exceptional provision. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive. One typically commented, 'All credit to the remarkable teaching staff and the school as a whole for providing such a strong foundation of education and discipline.' Students gain from a range of opportunities. A student who expressed a view typical of those of others said, 'It's a funky family - everyone is accepted and cared for, and it is a comfortable place to be.'

What the school should improve

• Pupils who are at an early stage of reading do not receive the full support that they need to become fluent readers. Some pupils do not improve their reading skills quickly enough. Leaders must ensure that pupils at an early stage of reading learn to read fluently and with comprehension, thus enabling them to develop a love of reading, and to access the rest of the curriculum more effectively.
• Leaders have not ensured that the school meets the needs of all pupils with SEND effectively. When this is the case, this can limit how well these pupils can achieve. Leaders should ensure that all pupils with SEND, particularly the younger pupils, receive appropriate support so that they can fully access the provision and achieve as highly as they should.
• Leaders have worked hard to improve pupils' attendance and have had much success in reducing absence. However, many pupils are regularly absent. This means that too many pupils are missing out on important learning. Leaders must ensure that pupils who are regularly absent receive the support they need to improve their attendance.

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