The Stephen Longfellow Academy
Global Avenue, Phoenix House, Leeds, LS11 8PGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Stephen Longfellow Academy is an alternative provision school in Leeds for ages 5 to 16. It is one of the 295 schools in Leeds. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 October 2019, report published 2 December 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 February 2025
This school embodies the trust's ambition to support all pupils to succeed, regardless of their background. It offers pupils a fresh start to their education where they have previously encountered difficulties in other schools. Pupils are safe, well cared for and valued as individuals. The school's values of 'aspiration, resilience and respect' shine through its nurturing ethos and personalised approach to learning and support for pupils. The school is calm and welcoming. There are high expectations for pupils' learning and behaviour. Most pupils behave well. When some pupils struggle to control their behaviour, skilled staff help them to calm and to develop ways to manage their emotions and behaviour effectively. Staff get to know pupils very well. They take great care to identify, assess and meet pupils' individual needs in a way that helps them to learn the value of education and enjoy learning. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from carefully tailored one-to-one and small-group teaching. Pupils are encouraged to be aspirational. Many achieve qualifications that help them with their next steps in life. The school is doggedly determined to ensure pupils get the right guidance to help them with their future options for further education and employment.
What the school should improve
- Some pupils in the early stages of learning to read are not supported to learn phonics effectively. This means that some pupils do not develop the skills they need to become fluent readers. Leaders should ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills they need to teach phonics well.
- Attendance is an ongoing and significant priority for the school. Too many pupils are persistently absent. They miss essential learning and experiences, which has a negative impact on their education. The school should maintain its relentless focus on supporting pupils to attend school regularly so that pupils are not disadvantaged educationally and socially.
Pupil numbers and mix
0 pupils on roll, with places for 300
Schools near The Stephen Longfellow Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| The Elland Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good |
| Reach Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Engage Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Pinderfields Hospital PRU | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Ethos College | 6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding |
School details
- School type
- Free schools alternative provision
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- THE GORSE ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 5 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mr Neil Poskitt
- Phone
- 01134685999
- Address
- Global Avenue, Phoenix House, Leeds, LS11 8PG
- Local authority
- Leeds
- URN
- 143761
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.