Outwood Academy Acklam

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 March 2025

Staff have high expectations of what pupils can achieve and how they should conduct themselves. Most pupils meet these expectations. Behaviour and attendance at the school have improved of late. The school nurtures vulnerable pupils. Pastoral care is high quality. The school is ambitious for all pupils. Achievement has improved over time. This includes for disadvantaged pupils. However, a proportion of pupils still do not achieve as well as their peers nationally in external tests and assessments. The school promotes tolerance and encourages pupils to show understanding and respect for others. Some pupils have received training as 'Diana Award' ambassadors to help others to speak up if they are worried about something. However, a small minority of pupils still use language that can upset others. The school is aware of this and is taking action to give pupils further confidence in how such incidents are reported and addressed. Enrichment opportunities such as residential visits, talks from local religious leaders and trips to the House of Lords enhance pupils' educational experiences. The school's 'Outwood Honours' programme encourages pupils to engage in activities in their school and wider community. Pupils are confident and communicate well. The school develops the skills and character traits pupils will need for future success.

What the school should improve

• The school's strategies to improve attendance are not effective for a minority of pupils. This means that these pupils do not benefit from the positive education and wider support that the school provides because they are missing school too frequently. The school should further refine its actions in this area so that fewer days of education are lost to absence, enabling all pupils to achieve their potential.
• A small group of pupils continue to be suspended from school on a regular basis. The school's determined approach to improve these pupils' attitudes to their education has had limited success. Pupils are missing important learning as a result. The school should review its approach to supporting these pupils and identify which strategies work best to engage them more fully in their education.

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