Solihull Alternative Provision Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 September 2022

Leaders and staff want the very best for every pupil at this inclusive and caring school. They get to know each pupil quickly and listen to their views. Staff work alongside pupils to set them on a pathway that supports their needs and raises their aspirations. Leaders' vision that every pupil will successfully take their next step beyond school is shared by all. Pupils come to school happily and trust staff to keep them safe. Staff model care, tolerance and respect. For many pupils, this means they attend school more regularly than before. Staff are alert to any incidents of bullying and report issues promptly so that they can be resolved. Pupils can often display complex and challenging behaviour. Nevertheless, leaders and staff have crafted an orderly and calm environment. Staff work hard to build purposeful and positive relationships with pupils. They use these relationships as a lever to draw pupils back into education and help them make positive changes. Staff never give up on pupils and pupils know this. Staff persevere and welcome all pupils into school every morning. One parent summed this up, saying 'this is the only school my child wants to actually go to, he feels heard, respected and understood'.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not developed a cohesive package to help pupils at different stages of reading. As a result, leaders' interventions and approaches do not always provide pupils with the individualised support they need. Leaders should ensure that appropriate phonics programmes are in place, and wider strategies to develop pupils' fluency and love of reading are targeted, monitored and evaluated effectively.
• Leaders' systems for identifying pupils with speech, language and communication needs are not robust enough. This means that teachers are unable to provide pupils with precise support so that they can learn well. Leaders should ensure that they carefully identify pupils with a specific learning need in this area. Leaders should use this information to plan, develop and share strategies with teachers so that all pupils get the help they need.
• Leaders have not ensured that all teachers know how to best teach their subject. Consequently, some teachers teach the planned curriculum without considering how they will adapt lessons to respond to emerging gaps in pupils' knowledge. Leaders should ensure that all teachers develop their understanding of how to best teach their subject so that they are alert to pupils' missing knowledge and adapt the curriculum accordingly.

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