Nunthorpe School & Sixth Form

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 June 2024

Nunthorpe Academy is a school where pupils and students feel safe. In many subjects, pupils enjoy their learning. They say that they learn most when their lessons are interesting. However, some lessons in key stages 3 and 4 are disrupted by poor behaviour, which means that suspensions are high. Students in the sixth form are positive about school and are benefiting from a structured, nurturing, and focused learning environment. Pupils have access to a broad curriculum. The curriculum is designed to prepare pupils for the next stages of their education and employment. The careers programme is extensive and helps pupils to make informed choices. The school has a wide range of clubs, particularly in key stage 3. There are many opportunities to access experiences both in and out of school, such as at darts club. Pupils are encouraged to develop their leadership skills by joining the school council. The school council recently arranged a vintage afternoon at a local care home on D- Day. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not consistently receive the support that they need in lessons. Teachers do not always use the strategies identified in 'pupil passports' to effectively identify and address the gaps in knowledge of pupils with SEND. The school is working to address the issue. Currently, the attendance of pupils with SEND is not as high as that of other children.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum is not designed or implemented to consistently identify the gaps in pupils' knowledge, or the next steps necessary to deepen their learning. As such, pupils do not develop the depth of knowledge they could across a range of subjects. The school should train and support staff to more effectively use assessment to identify the gaps in pupils' knowledge and misconceptions, and ensure that any follow-on strategies to address these matters are successful.
• The curriculum is not adapted sufficiently well in lessons to support pupils with SEND. As a result, some pupils with SEND do not make as much progress from their starting points as they could. The school should ensure that the strategies identified to support these pupils are implemented across all subjects.
• Too many pupils do not attend school regularly or are suspended. These pupils miss out on important learning. The school should continue to focus on reducing suspensions and pupil absences, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
• Some pupils do not have confidence that staff will deal with bullying and the use of prejudicial language when they arise. As a result, some issues do not get reported and dealt with appropriately. The school should take action to ensure that staff consistently apply leaders' high expectations as outlined in the anti- bullying policy.
• Pupils' understanding of different faiths and of the protected characteristics is not as developed as it should be. As a result, pupils do not consistently demonstrate tolerance and understanding towards people who are different to themselves. The school should develop the curriculum offer so that pupils understand more about the different groups of people that make up modern Britain.

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