Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 February 2026

There is a warmth in this school community. Pupils and staff show respect to one another. Leaders have high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and for what they can achieve. Standards of behaviour have improved markedly in recent times. Classrooms are calm and corridors are orderly. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, value how well their teachers know them as individuals. Staff use their expertise to support pupils in overcoming their individual barriers to success. Pupils who need extra support receive this, for example, in the school's bespoke spaces, such as 'the hub' and 'the orchard'. Pupils achieve well here. They generally enjoy learning and benefit from purposeful teaching and an ambitious curriculum. Achievement in national tests, such as GCSEs, has been consistently positive over time. This is also the case for disadvantaged pupils. Pupils receive high-quality careers education. Very few pupils leave Year 11 without firm plans for the future. Students in the sixth form are also well supported to move on to destinations of their choice. Pupils leave Ossett with the skills and qualifications they need for their next steps. Rewards and recognition help pupils to feel valued and successful. Pupils feel safe and say that they belong. ‘Swap shop, ‘Wow Wednesday’, ‘Friday praise’ and 'golden tickets' all play their part in this regard. Pupils say that unkind words or bullying are dealt with effectively. However, some pupils do not attend as regularly and as often as they might. This includes disadvantaged pupils. Pupils have access to a wide range of enrichment activities and clubs. Orchard football club, chess club and rugby are popular. Curriculum visits abroad and leadership opportunities are also widely available. These build pupils' character, broaden their horizons and develop their independence, preparing them for life in modern Britain.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure they continue to work to improve pupils' attendance and reduce rates of persistent absence, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
• Leaders should ensure that they support teachers, including those in the sixth form, to deliver the curriculum with a high degree of consistency, explaining concepts and activities well and questioning pupils with precision.

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