The Fermain Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 July 2024

Pupils who attend this school have faced considerable difficulties in their prior education. Some have been permanently excluded from other schools. Many pupils have had adverse childhood experiences that have interrupted their learning. As a result, pupils often arrive with large gaps in their knowledge. Some pupils struggle to manage their own behaviour. The school maintains the highest ambition for pupils. It helps pupils to develop self-belief and to aspire for their future lives. Pupils successfully re-engage with their education at this school. They gain the qualifications and skills that they need to move on in their lives. Pupils build warm, trusting relationships with staff. They told inspectors how the support that they receive helps them to improve their behaviour and to manage their emotions positively. They quickly come to enjoy attending school once more. Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities that support their wider development. For instance, they value being able to participate in adventurous activities such as kayaking and indoor climbing. These experiences help pupils to build confidence and self- esteem.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, staff do not use assessment strategies as effectively as they should. At times, they move on to new content before pupils have a secure grasp of their earlier learning. This means that gaps form in pupils' knowledge. The school should ensure that staff use assessment strategies consistently well to identify and address the knowledge that pupils lack.
• Some of the school's systems to monitor and evaluate the impact of its provision do not provide staff with useful information. At times, staff do not know how well the school's strategies are working. This includes strategies to improve attendance and how well staff deliver the intended curriculum. The school should monitor and evaluate improvement strategies, including improvements to the curriculum, to ensure that they have the intended positive impact.

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