The Giles Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 10 May 2023

Pupils are proud to attend The Giles Academy. This is a school where staff want the best for all pupils. Leaders have a clear vision for the school and have high aspirations for their pupils. They promote the school's values of 'aspire, challenge and achieve'. Leaders are determined that pupils will succeed. There are positive relationships between staff and pupils. Staff care about their pupils' education and well-being. Pupils know that the school has high expectations of their learning and conduct. They benefit from strong pastoral care. Pupils feel safe and say they are happy at school. Pupils are respectful, well mannered and polite. They behave well in lessons and around school. Pupils value the range of leadership responsibilities available to them, including being on the school council and being reading ambassadors, transition buddies and prefects. Pupils spoke about how these opportunities have given them confidence and a sense of responsibility. The reading ambassadors spoke about the value in seeing other students' reading 'develop and improve'. Parents and carers are positive about the education their children receive. One view shared by many was, 'The teaching staff are superb, supporting the children academically and pastorally. Expectations are high and the children are all encouraged to succeed.'

What the school should improve

• Teachers' use of formative assessment does not consistently identify gaps in pupils' knowledge. When this occurs, the curriculum is not adapted well enough to help pupils to catch up. Leaders need to ensure that assessment is used effectively to support pupils to make progress through the curriculum in all subjects.
• Too many pupils are persistently absent. They are missing education and are at risk of falling behind their peers. Leaders should continue to develop strategies to ensure that all pupils attend regularly.

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