Quest Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 30 June 2026

Quest Academy is a welcoming and nurturing school that helps pupils to re-engage successfully with education. All pupils who attend the school have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Many join having experienced disruption to their education and gaps in their learning. Staff develop positive relationships with pupils and understand their individual needs well. As a result, pupils settle successfully and develop confidence in themselves as learners. Pupils say that they feel safe and well supported. They know who to speak to if they have any worries and are confident that staff will help them. Staff deal with incidents of bullying appropriately when they occur. Pupils behave well around the school and respond positively to the clear expectations that staff set. During social times, pupils enjoy spending time with their peers, participating in sports activities and interacting with staff. Many pupils attend school more regularly over time. They develop a strong sense of belonging and engagement. Pupils benefit from a personalised curriculum that supports both their academic and personal development. Leaders have established a strong focus on reading and ensure that pupils are supported to address gaps in their learning. Pupils develop important knowledge and skills that prepare them for adulthood, including through practical learning opportunities such as cookery. By the end of Year 11, pupils achieve a range of qualifications that help them move successfully to further education, employment or training. The school provides a wide range of opportunities to enrich pupils' experiences beyond the classroom. Pupils enjoy visits to galleries, exhibitions and workplaces, as well as whole-school events such as 'Questival', which celebrate their talents and achievements. A variety of extra-curricular clubs, including music, sport and art, help pupils to develop their interests, discover new strengths and broaden their horizons.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should embed greater consistency in the way that teaching uses assessment information to further close gaps in pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding.
• Leaders should continue to focus on ensuring that pupils develop greater accuracy and fluency in spelling, handwriting and mathematics.

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