The Ripley Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 February 2025

Pupils, and students in the sixth form, are proud to attend Ripley Academy. The school is their community. Pastoral care is strong. Pupils and their families are known extremely well. Staff go 'above and beyond' to make sure pupils receive the help they need. Pupils know that they have a trusted adult to turn to. They said that this really matters to them and that it helps them to feel safe. Staff have high expectations of what pupils can achieve. The aspiration is to ensure that all pupils become 'nothing short of remarkable'. Pupils are beginning to live up to these expectations. Pupils' achievement is improving. Pupils' behaviour has significantly improved. The behaviour policy is working. Pupils are clear about the consequences of poor behaviour. They value the rewards that they receive for behaving well. Learning is now rarely disrupted. The school recognises the importance of ensuring that pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), gain wider opportunities beyond the curriculum. Pupils relish these opportunities. They visit places in the community and abroad. Activities take place daily. Pupils particularly appreciate the trips to local restaurants, an experience that they may not otherwise receive.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes the needs of pupils with SEND are not always met well. When this is the case, these pupils do not learn as well as they should. The school should ensure that teachers are more consistently using the information, and using the skills needed, to make sure learning is appropriately adapted across all subjects for pupils with SEND.
• In some subjects, staff do not consistently check pupils' understanding or identify learning gaps as effectively as they could. This impacts negatively on pupils' achievement. The school should ensure that regular checks are made by staff to make sure that pupils' prior learning is secure and then skilfully built upon. This will support pupils to acquire the knowledge they need to progress through the curriculum successfully and achieve well.
• Although pupil suspensions are decreasing, they remain too high for some vulnerable pupils. The school should continue the work to reduce the number of pupils who are suspended from school, particularly disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND.

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