Salford City Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 April 2026

This school sits firmly at the heart of its community. There is a clear sense of belonging and care for pupils. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and respectful. Pupils know that staff care about them, which helps them to feel safe. Pupils benefit from an impressive offer to further their personal development. Pupils leave the school as young people who are very well prepared for life in modern Britain. They understand fundamental British values, such as tolerance and democracy, and they know what is happening in the world around them. Pupils can explain how these values and issues are relevant in their own lives. They profit from a wide range of clubs and activities ranging from drama to sport. Pupils build a secure knowledge of the range of post-16 options open to them. This often involves hearing directly from visiting employers, colleges and training providers. Pupils leave ready to take their next steps into further education, employment or training. Pupils enjoy learning. Their positive attitudes towards lessons help to ensure that classrooms are calm and focused. Most pupils achieve well. Teachers work quickly to identify and support those who may face challenges that make learning more difficult. Effective support ensures that pupils can access their learning. Pupils know what behaviours are expected. In lessons and at social times, pupils behave well. They know that staff will deal with any issues, such as bullying, swiftly and effectively. Most pupils attend school regularly. When pupils face barriers to their attendance, leaders put in place effective support to help pupils to overcome these.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that the strategies they are using to improve attendance rapidly lead to high attendance for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Leaders should ensure that the strategies they use to develop and improve pupils' handwriting skills are effective in helping all pupils become confident and legible writers, and in helping weaker writers to catch up with their peers.
• Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is consistently embedded across all subjects and year groups.
• Leaders should ensure a more coherent approach to recording and monitoring pupils' attendance at alternative provision so that they can be confident that these pupils are benefiting fully from their education.

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