E-ACT North Birmingham Academy in Erdington has made history by becoming the first secondary school in the West Midlands to receive a new 'exceptional' grade from Ofsted under its revamped inspection system.
New inspection framework
The education watchdog has overhauled its approach, scrapping previous one-word overall grades such as 'outstanding' and 'good'. Schools are now assessed across a range of areas to provide a fuller and fairer reflection of daily operations. The highest grade available is 'exceptional', and secondaries are rated across seven distinct categories.
Exceptional attendance and behaviour
E-ACT North Birmingham Academy achieved grades spanning from 'exceptional' to 'expected standard'. Notably, the school secured an 'exceptional' rating in the critical area of attendance and behaviour. It also received four 'strong standard' grades and two 'expected standard' ratings, marking an impressive overall performance.
Securing an exceptional rating in any area is no small feat. Only a handful of Midlands schools have achieved this distinction so far this year.
Ofsted report highlights
The Ofsted report for attendance and behaviour praised the school's approach: "Staff know pupils extremely well. Because of this, staff support pupils very effectively whenever there is a problem." It noted that attendance is very high compared to the national average for all pupils, and post-16 students attend equally well.
The report continued: "The school has sustained these exceptional standards of attendance over time. When the attendance of any pupil slips a little, leaders provide swift and effective support." The school is already sharing its trailblazing strategies to support high attendance with other providers.
Positive behaviour environment
Regarding behaviour, the report stated: "Suspensions are very low. Pupils meet the school's very high behaviour expectations consistently. Records show that bullying and other prejudicial behaviour are rare, and pupils agree that this is the case. Lessons are not disrupted by poor behaviour. When moving around the school during social times and between lessons, pupils are consistently calm and orderly. They flourish in the positive environment that this great behaviour creates."
