Ofsted Inspection

We received a two-day Ofsted inspection in September 2022, in which we maintained our grade as a good provider. We are very proud of our staff, students, and community for achieving this outcome.

Read the report

We encourage families to read our Ofsted report in full. It is a glowing endorsement of our Academy, with positive feedback including:

Q3 Academy Great Barr serves its community well. Relationships between students and teachers are strong and based on mutual respect.

Students achieve well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). High numbers of students progress successfully on to higher education, apprenticeships, and employment.

Leaders have set out clear expectations for students' conduct and behaviour. These expectations are well understood by students and constantly applied by staff. Students are consistently "ready, respectful and responsible". This means that the environment is purposeful and students feel safe.

Bullying is uncommon. Most students are confident that adults will take it seriously and sort it out quickly if it does happen.

Many students attend the impressive range of opportunities and clubs on offer. In music, for example, a range of students from across the Academy meet up weekly to play, relax, or simply chat about their musical interests.

There are also opportunities for students to develop their character and leadership skills. Many students, for instance, take pride in being part of the Combined Cadet Force and wearing their uniform in the weekly parades.

The headteacher is ambitious for all students, including those with SEND. Over recent years, he and other leaders have taken effective steps to improve the curriculum. All students now study a broad range of subjects in depth from Year 7 to Year 9.

Teachers, including those in the sixth form, have strong subject knowledge. They explain subject content clearly and check students' understanding well in lessons. Teachers use questions skilfully to help them to spot students who may be stuck. This means that students who need help get it quickly.

Leaders pay serious attention to ensuring that all students can read. Consequently, these students are becoming more confident and fluent readers. … A carefully chosen selection of books help pupils to improve their word understanding and broaden their knowledge of various health, well-being and social issues.

The Academy is calm and orderly. Disruption to learning is rare and very little learning time is lost. During lesson changeovers, students move around the building sensibly and without fuss.

Leaders work hard to promote staff well-being. Staff morale is high. Adults value the role they play in students' education. They are proud to work at the Academy.