R.Y.A.N Education Academy Vocational Centre

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 March 2024

'Respect your achievements now' is the motto which permeates this school. Proprietors have set clear expectations for themselves, their staff and their pupils. All adults are committed to helping pupils succeed. Leaders have set a clear vision and ethos for the school. The vocational aspect of the curriculum is particularly successful in supporting these aims. All pupils have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and an education, health and care plan (EHC plan). They have all had long periods out of education and experienced difficulties in previous settings. Staff help pupils to overcome their barriers. Pupils re-engage with learning and develop the knowledge, skills and personal qualities they need to be successful in life. Leaders want pupils to gain the qualifications required for future training, education or employment. The school ensures that the courses pupils complete are accredited. The school works well to enhance pupils' personal and character development. Pupils benefit from a wide range of activities that develop their personalities and further their interests. These activities include trips, visits to theatres and meals out. Pupils also volunteer at local food banks and learn how to be active in their local community. Pupils speak passionately about these opportunities.

What the school should improve

• The way new content is introduced in some subjects does not always build logically on previous learning. This limits pupils' ability to build a broad range of knowledge in these subjects. The school should ensure that the knowledge and skills pupils are expected to know and in what order are clear to all staff.
• The school does not use assessment consistently well. Teachers do not always know what gaps in pupils' knowledge exist. This lack of knowledge means that teachers do not always adapt their teaching to address gaps in learning or give pupils the help they need. This slows pupils' learning. The school should ensure that all staff use assessment consistently well to identify what pupils can and cannot do so that teachers can adapt their teaching to give pupils the help they need.

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