A Failsworth all-age school has had an Ofsted turnaround, with its rating upgraded from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’.

Spring Brook Academy, on Dean Street, Failsworth, received the rating in a report published on Wednesday.

It marks a turnaround for the school, which has had a rocky decade, going from the top grade of ‘outstanding’ in 2011 to ‘requires improvement’ in 2014, before converting to an academy and again being told to improve after an inspection in 2019.

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The school, which teaches 109 pupils aged four to 16, was said to have a ‘well-designed curriculum’ with pupils achieving well.

The school’s atmosphere was described as ‘calm’ and ‘purposeful’ by the inspection team, made up of Ofsted inspectors Stuart Perkins and Lindy Griffiths.

This marks a stark change when compared to the previous 2019 report, which criticised teaching quality as ‘inconsistent’ and noted poor behaviour, with pupils said to be allowed to smoke outside under the supervision of staff.

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Pupils ‘enjoy continuing their education during the school holidays’

With government data showing that more than two-thirds of the school’s pupils are eligible for free school meals, the report acknowledges that "some pupils have had a tricky start to their education", before starting at the school.

As part of a ’48-week offer’, inspectors reported that pupils receive opportunities throughout the year, with students said to "enjoy continuing their education and their wider enrichment activities during the school holidays".

Visiting theme parks abroad, outdoor adventure parks, and kayaking were all examples of activities offered to pupils by the school.

A strong start to the curriculum

The school’s leaders were praised by inspectors for making a ‘strong start’ to the school’s curriculum in many subjects, with many subjects said to build pupil’s knowledge while addressing social, emotional and mental health needs.

However, inspectors said that ‘in one or two subjects’, teachers were not as confident in the delivery, hindering how well some pupils learn.

Inspectors recommended that leaders focus on training teachers to deliver these remaining subjects consistently well.

Special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)

Pupils with SEND were said to receive ‘strong support to access the full curriculum’ at Spring Brook, with staff ensuring these pupils achieve well.

Behaviour improved

Behaviour at the school was praised, with pupils described as ‘polite and welcoming’.

Now, fixed-term suspension rates were said to be falling, with leaders said to have higher expectations of behaviour. Leaders were praised for their work in this area, and for giving pupils skills to manage their behaviour.

The full Ofsted report can be read on the Ofsted website. Spring Brook Academy has been contacted for comment.