Redhill Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

GCSE results have improved each year and achievement has risen substantially since the academy was established and compared to the predecessor school. Students make significantly better progress than seen nationally, particularly in English. Disabled students and those who have special educational needs are very well supported and make similar progress to their peers.

Teaching is outstanding. Teachers plan lessons that engage and challenge students. Work is matched well to the needs of students.

The academy has well-developed strategies to improve students' literacy skills across all subjects. Students are proud of their... academy. They feel safe and say bullying is uncommon.

Students behave extremely well in lessons and around the academy site. Attendance is excellent. The leadership of the academy is extremely effective and the strong track record of improvement demonstrates a clear capacity to improve further.

There are very effective systems in place to check the academy's work. Students' progress is checked regularly and those not making the progress they should are provided with the extra support they need. Leaders develop teaching well and staff performance is very effectively managed.

Staff are provided with excellent professional development opportunities and this helps improve their effectiveness. The governing body works very effectively with the academy. They help lead improvement and share responsibility for planning.

The academy has a strong commitment to working with and supporting other schools. The sixth form is good and improving rapidly. Achievement in vocational courses is outstanding.

Information about this school

Redhill Academy converted to become an academy school on 1 December 2010. When its predecessor school, Redhill School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be outstanding overall. The academy is larger than the average-sized secondary school.

Most students are of White British heritage and almost all speak English as their first language. The proportion of students known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for children in care of the local authority and pupils known to be eligible for free school meals) is close to the national average. The proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average.

The proportion supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is below average. The academy meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress. Alternative provision, at Buxton Training Agency, offers a small number of students additional support and education.