Phoenix Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 November 2022

Pupils arrive at Phoenix Academy with difficult and inconsistent experiences of education. Staff understand these experiences and pupils' individual needs. They use this knowledge to foster positive relationships with pupils. Pupils are welcomed into school by a supportive staff team. As a result, pupils feel safe with their teachers. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend well. Acceptance, belonging, regulation, respect and pride are front and centre of all that the school does. These values underpin the pastoral support offered to pupils. This helps pupils to recognise their feelings and emotions. It also empowers them to find solutions, particularly if they are feeling angry or upset. Behaviour across the school can vary. Staff deal with any unkind behaviour or incidents of bullying quickly and effectively. Staff use individual approaches and strategies to support pupils with their behaviour. These work well. Pupils settle; their readiness for learning is increasing. Leaders' expectations for behaviour and learning are high. These expectations are mostly met. Some pupils are experiencing success in school for the first time. Pupils have opportunities to take part in trips and activities that prepare them well for life beyond school.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum in some subjects is not as well developed as in others. In these subjects, the key learning for pupils has not yet been carefully sequenced. As a result, pupils' learning is not as strong as it could be. Leaders need to continue to refine the curriculum to ensure content is carefully sequenced across all subjects.
• Some aspects of teachers' assessment focus too much on endpoints rather than the small steps pupils need to master. Consequently, teachers do not always know what pupils have understood and what their next steps need to be. Leaders need to ensure assessment is used well to inform the curriculum and teachers' planning.
• Leaders' development of the behaviour policy is in the early stages of implementation. At times, some pupils find it difficult to adapt to the new policy and the raised expectations. Leaders should continue to work alongside staff and pupils to embed the new policy and realise a consistent culture of high expectations.

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