Outwood Academy Redcar

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 June 2026

Pupils feel included and cared for at Outwood Redcar. Staff know pupils well and meet their individual needs. The welcome hub supports pupils as soon as they arrive at school and helps them to be ready for learning. The culture is shifting at school. Behaviour has improved. Pupils move around the building in a calm manner. In most lessons, pupils focus well on the task in hand. Pupils are polite and welcoming. Bullying and discriminatory language are rare. They are dealt with effectively. There are positive relationships between staff and pupils. Social times have been extended. Pupils now spend more time developing friendships and engaging in social activities. Breaktimes are lively and pupils have a wide choice of activities to suit their interests. Each day has a theme that helps to celebrate pupils’ achievements. For example, Proud Tuesday showcases examples of exemplary work by pupils. Pupils have not achieved as well as they could in national tests and examinations. Historically, inconsistent teaching and low attendance levels have had a negative impact on pupils’ outcomes. However, this is starting to change. Some pupils have significantly improved their attendance and teaching is becoming more and more effective. Most pupils enjoy their learning, and the quality of their work is improving. Those who need extra support in class receive it. Pupils want to support their local community. For example, they participate in community projects such as the ‘Outwood Out There’ programme. The personal development programme helps pupils understand what it is like to be a citizen in modern Britain. Careers education is a strength of the school. Very few pupils leave without firm plans for the future. School staffing and leadership are now much more stable. Pupils are starting to feel the benefit of this.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that checks on pupils’ learning are used to consistent effect to identify gaps in their understanding. Leaders should ensure that staff help to close these gaps so that pupils’ attainment improves markedly.
• Leaders should ensure that rates of attendance increase and the number of pupils that are persistently or severely absent decreases.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers and other staff members implement behaviour policies consistently, thereby decreasing the number of incidents that lead to suspensions.
• Those responsible for governance should ensure that stable leadership ensures that improvements continue at their current rate and have the desired impact.

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