The ArtsXchange

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 22 May 2024

Pupils want to come to this school because they like what they are learning here. They really enjoy the creative media, music and arts subjects and they make the most of the great resources available to them. As a result, pupils are happy at school and get a positive experience of education, something that many have not had previously. The school has high expectations for all pupils. All pupils study a suitably ambitious curriculum offer, including English and mathematics as well as the specialist creative media, music and arts subjects. Pupils achieve well because staff tailor the courses and their teaching methods to meet the needs of the pupils. Pupils are proud of their work and enjoy opportunities to perform or present their final projects. Pupils may have found it hard to manage their emotions and behaviour at previous settings. They are well supported to understand their emotions and to work within the school's rules and systems. The school's policy to promote and secure positive behaviour is clear and pupils understand it. Pupils are regularly rewarded for following the school rules and expectations. They are motivated to achieve 'positive points' and go on reward trips, for example to places of interest in London.

What the school should improve

• Some parts of the school's curriculum are not yet coherently planned and sequenced towards building pupils' knowledge in all subjects. In a small number of areas, leaders have not thought through how they will break down knowledge into small chunks so that pupils can build on their prior knowledge or how what is learned will be developed in further years. As a result, some of pupils' learning does not develop progressively, with gaps in understanding and knowledge not identified or closed. The school should ensure that all subjects are planned so that pupils build on prior knowledge year on year.
• Reading for pleasure is not given a high enough priority. Pupils' enjoyment of reading is not developed as well as it could be, with their reading in school mainly confined to course materials and text extracts in lessons. The school should ensure that students have regular opportunities to read widely and for pleasure.

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