The Rural Enterprise Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The principal and vice-principal lead the school well.

They have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses and take informed action to make improvements. Leaders have created a positive and aspirational culture in the school. Pupils are well cared for and happy.

There is some very high-quality teaching in the school that has led to strong outcomes. Current pupils are making good progress. Low prior-attaining pupils and pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities make good progress in the school.

Staff value the training opportunities that they are given and share best practice in the s...chool. However, there have been limited opportunities for them to observe outstanding teaching elsewhere. The curriculum is tailored to pupils' interests.

It promotes good progress and personal development very well. A wide range of enrichment activities support learning in the classroom. Fundamental British values and spiritual, moral, social and cultural development (SMSC) are deeply embedded in the ethos of the school.

Safeguarding is effective. There is a strong culture for keeping pupils safe. The school's nurturing and inclusive ethos promotes all aspects of pupils' welfare.

Pastoral leadership has been enhanced since the time of the last inspection. However, subject leadership is still underdeveloped. Leaders plan to address this through closer working relationships with other schools.

Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. The refined behaviour management system is helping to further improve pupils' conduct. However, since the last inspection, fixed-term exclusions have been higher than the national average.

Most pupils attend regularly and many have improved attendance since joining the school. However, some pupils are still absent too often. Not all teaching matches the best in the school.

Where it has less impact, activities do not challenge pupils to make rapid progress from their different starting points. Although improving, outcomes for the most able pupils have not matched the national average for similar pupils. Effective action has been taken to improve the learning, behaviour and attendance of disadvantaged pupils.

However, the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and other pupils nationally remains. Although improving, attainment has been below the national average since the last inspection.

Information about this school

The Rural Enterprise Academy is smaller than the average-sized secondary school.

It is situated in a separate building in the grounds of South Staffordshire College. Most pupils are White British. The proportions of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds and those who speak English as an additional language are well below average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities, including those who have an education, health and care plan, is above average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is broadly average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress.

Sixth-form provision opened in September 2014. There were small numbers of students on roll between 2014 and 2017. There are currently no students attending the sixth form.

From September 2015, Year 9 pupils were able to join the school. No pupils currently attend alternative provision. All pupils follow vocational courses at South Staffordshire College for two hours a week.

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