Pupils and staff at Nottingham Academy are celebrating after receiving praise from Ofsted for its strong foundations and personal development, alongside success in all measured areas under the new inspection framework.

The Academy, which is part of Greenwood Academies Trust, was inspected in April under Ofsted’s new framework. This framework marks a departure from a single overall grade and instead provides a detailed report card across key areas of school life, giving parents and carers a clearer and more balanced picture of strengths and priorities.

Following the inspection, Ofsted confirmed that Nottingham Academy is delivering a strong standard across early years and personal development and wellbeing, with all other areas – including achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance and post-16 provision – meeting the expected standard. The inspection also found that safeguarding standards are met.

The report highlights a number of key strengths across the Academy, particularly in the Early Years provision, where children “make very strong progress across all areas of learning and are very well prepared for the next stage of their education”.

The Academy’s approach to personal development was also praised as a significant strength, with pupils benefiting from a wide range of experiences that help develop their “confidence, resilience and care in their contributions to school life and wider society”. Careers education is also highlighted as a strength, with “students in post-16 provision in particular” benefitting from “meaningful encounters with employers and higher education providers, which raise aspirations”.

Across the Academy, pupils describe feeling safe, valued and part of a welcoming and inclusive community. This school culture and leaders’ clear and consistent approach to absences has helped drive recognised improvements in attendance and behaviour, with pupils behaving well in lessons and around the school, and with attendance broadly in line with national figures.

Inspectors also praised the Academy’s broad and ambitious curriculum, which is carefully sequenced to help pupils build knowledge over time. Teaching is also typically well structured, with strong subject knowledge supporting pupils to understand increasingly complex ideas.

The report also identifies where the Academy will continue to build on its progress, including continuing to strengthening outcomes and ensuring teaching consistently secures excellent knowledge and skills across all subject areas. Leaders have clear plans in place to support this including through innovative CPD programmes and ensuring the highest expectations for all pupils, so that every child at Nottingham Academy can achieve their true potential, whilst making a positive contribution to the wider society and beyond.

Andrew Staszkiewicz, Principal (Primary) at Nottingham Academy, said:

“The report accurately reflects the positive culture that we have been building within our school community for a number of years. I am incredibly proud of our staff, who work relentlessly to improve standards for every child and for every family.

“It is fantastic to be recognised as a highly inclusive school that equips our children with the foundational knowledge they need to succeed and to be ready for the next stage of their educational journey. I am also delighted that the emphasis we place on aspiration for all of our pupils was recognised and we remain fully committed to striving for the very best for all of our pupils and the wider community.

“Thank you to our parents and carers for their consistent support. We look forward to continuing the positive journey we are on alongside you.”

Jessie Elbaz, Executive Principal (Secondary and 6th Form), at Nottingham Academy, said:

“This inspection recognises not just where Nottingham Academy is today, but the journey it has been on. After a prolonged period of requiring improvement, strong leadership and high expectations have brought about real change in the quality of education, behaviour, culture and pupils’ experience of school.

“At the heart of this report is a clear message: pupils feel safe, supported and valued. While we are proud of the progress recognised by Ofsted, we remain ambitious for our children and determined to continue strengthening the quality of education we provide.

“Thank you to our parents and carers for your trust, support and partnership as we continue this journey together.”

Wayne Norrie, CEO of Greenwood Academies Trust, added:

“This report reflects the strong foundations in place at Nottingham Academy and the progress that has been made across a number of key areas. It is particularly encouraging to see the strengths identified in early years, personal development and the inclusive culture that supports all pupils across the Academy.

“I am incredibly proud of the team, led brilliantly by Ms Elbaz and Mr Staszkiewicz, and look forward to continuing to support them as they build on this momentum.”