Phoenix Park Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 September 2023

Pupils are offered a fresh start at this school. All have experienced previous difficulties in mainstream education. All have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff provide calm, dedicated help to pupils. They get to know pupils very well. There are warm, caring relationships. Pupils feel safe and respected as individuals. The school provides carefully considered support and personalised education to meet pupils' needs. This includes pupils who struggle to attend. Staff check often that support is appropriate and that pupils' curriculum pathways are aspirational. There are high expectations for pupils' learning and behaviour. Staff teach pupils a 'toolkit' of strategies to help them to understand and manage their own behaviour. Pupils' next steps are at the heart of the school's work. They broaden their knowledge and skills during their time here. Older pupils gain academic and vocational qualifications. Pupils enjoy a range of outdoor education opportunities, including rock climbing. They take part in activities to inform them about future career choices. These include experiencing workshops about engineering and renewable energy. They develop life skills by holding positions of responsibility and taking part in work experience. Pupils like cooking, and enjoy trips as rewards, such as go-karting.

What the school should improve

• Pupils in the early stages of learning to read do not always have sufficient opportunities to practise using their phonics. This makes it difficult for them to develop their fluency. Leaders should ensure that teachers know how to support pupils to practise their phonics to help them develop their fluency when reading.

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