Ofsted inspectors have issued an update after returning to one of Birmingham's worst-rated secondary schools. Officials recently went back inside Jewellery Quarter Academy, which they rated as 'inadequate' in two of four areas during their last visit in November 2024.
Monitoring Visit Findings
The education watchdog has published a new report following a recent monitoring visit to assess progress. Jewellery Quarter Academy, which has around 500 pupils, was rated inadequate for quality of education, and leadership and management. It was also rated requires improvement for behaviour and attitudes, and personal development 18 months ago.
Following the new visit in March, Ofsted reported seeing signs of improvements, suggesting a brighter future for the Albion Street site. Attendance and behaviour have both improved, inspectors noted.
Staffing and Leadership
The report stated: "The trust has ensured that the school is now fully staffed, including with subject experts across the curriculum. There has been a clear focus on raising aspirations and expectations. This helps new systems to be consistently understood and applied by staff."
Leaders, together with trust colleagues, have focused on the right things in the right order. For example, they have prioritised increasing pupils’ levels of attendance, ensuring pupils’ behaviour meets the higher expectations and supporting new middle leaders.
Attendance and Behaviour Improvements
On attendance and behaviour, the report noted: "The school’s new systems and procedures to ensure pupils come to school regularly are effective. Attendance is now ‘everyone’s business’. As a result, pupils’ attendance levels have improved and are now close to national averages."
This includes that of disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, which has improved significantly. Leaders have worked appropriately to establish a positive behaviour culture in school. Staff and pupils now understand the behaviour policy and increased expectations around pupils’ conduct.
Staff receive ongoing training on how to support pupils’ behaviour effectively. They regularly remind pupils of how to meet the new expectations. This work is beginning to turn the tide. Pupils are generally friendly and polite to visitors, staff and each other. They say that behaviour is now better and that staff deal with any infringements more consistently and fairly.
