Setting

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T 0300 123 1231 www.gov.uk/ofsted

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Gemma Earles Principal Bradford Forster Academy Fenby Avenue Bradford BD4 8RG

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Special measures monitoring inspection of Bradford Forster Academy

This letter sets out the findings from the monitoring inspection that took place on 26 and 27 June 2024, on behalf of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The monitoring inspection was carried out under section 8(2) of the Education Act 2005 and was the second monitoring inspection since the school was judged to require special measures following the graded (section 5) inspection that took place in March 2023.

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Special measures monitoring inspection of Bradford Forster Academy

The purpose of a monitoring inspection is not to grade the school’s overall effectiveness, but to identify and report on the school’s progress. It is to highlight to the school and parents any improvements that school leaders have made since the school’s previous graded inspection.

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Special measures monitoring inspection of Bradford Forster Academy

During the inspection, Harkireet Sohel and Lynette Edwards, Ofsted Inspectors (OI), and I discussed with you and other senior leaders, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the trust, the director of secondary education of the trust, other staff, trustees and governors the actions that have been taken to improve the school since the most recent graded inspection. We discussed the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also visited lessons, carried out work scrutinies, held meetings with staff and pupils and considered the responses to Ofsted’s surveys for staff and parents, including Ofsted Parent View. I have considered all this in coming to my judgement.

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Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is

necessary for the school to be no longer judged as requiring special measures.

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Leaders have made progress to improve the school, but more work is

I am of the opinion that the school may appoint early career teachers.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

During this inspection, the inspection team focused on the quality of education the school provides, pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, the school’s provision for pupils’ personal development, and leadership and management.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Since the last inspection, your school has continued to focus on the important improvement areas from the graded inspection. Initiatives introduced by leaders are starting to show positive progress. Staff continue to benefit from engaging with fellow professionals within the trust and beyond. This professional discourse informs the decisions that are made by the school. Your staff are determined and united in their efforts to improve the school. There is some variability in the standard of teaching. Plans for teacher development are in place to secure consistency and improvement.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Through consultation, leaders have redefined the school’s values. This has supported the imposition of clarity and consistency in all aspects of school life. The school continues to assist staff in the application of whole-school initiatives to support pupils’ learning and behaviour.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Pupils’ attendance is much improved. More pupils are attending the school regularly. Your staff’s raised expectations and your pupils’ increased motivation to attend are the two key factors for improvement in this area. Barriers to securing pupils’ more regular attendance are now identified and removed. In addition, your school has almost eliminated internal truancy. When pupils are in school, they are in lessons, learning. Any pupils outside of classrooms during learning time are swiftly escorted to the correct destination. Recently, your school has been approached by schools outside the trust to share its expertise in improving pupils’ attendance. Other schools have noted the improvements, through published data, and are keen to work with your school to improve their pupils’ attendance. The relationships with other schools are continuing to blossom and develop.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Now, your pupils wear their school uniform with pride. Ties, blazers and footwear that meets the school’s expectations are the norm. Support and help are in place for those pupils who have an issue with their uniforms. Pupils are greeted in the morning by staff on duty. This is part of the school’s determination to ensure a positive tone is set from the very start of the day. On arrival, the school offers a free breakfast to every pupil. Pupils who take up this offer socialise and talk sensibly with their friends before moving off to tutor groups.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Since the school’s last inspection, tutor time has been a focus for development. Tutor group activities are now linked throughout the week and over time. They focus on personal development and current topics in the world. For example, the work this week focused on refugees. On Tuesday, an assembly was delivered on refugees. On Wednesday, your staff led discussions about the content of the assembly in all tutor groups. You have ensured that leaders at all levels work together well. They treat each other with compassion, professionalism and humour. This is helping to create a working environment that is respectful and supportive. Leaders at different levels have applied to undertake professional qualifications that link to the school’s improvement priorities.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

The school has recruited new staff in different subject areas. The subject curriculums are in place and being implemented in the whole school’s ‘learning zone’ structure. The school is now beginning to improve the quality, where needed, of teaching approaches in subject areas. You know there is more to be done to further improve pupils’ active engagement in lessons. Your plans are clear and coherent.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Your school’s work with the local community is also starting to reap benefits. Parents and carers attend fortnightly coffee mornings. Leaders hear first hand about the worries and concerns of parents. In addition, the pupil shadow senior leadership team is working with leaders, other pupils and the community to make other positive changes. The litter picks that take place in the local community are helping to increase pupils’ sense of pride in the area.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Since the last inspection, your school has provided a host of extra-curricular opportunities. Residential trips in this country and abroad have been undertaken.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

Trustees and the local governing body complement each other. They now have a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They conduct these with professionalism and care. Clear communication lines are well established. There is no dividing line between the trust leaders and school staff. The CEO and the director of secondary education, trustees, governors and school staff have a shared ambition and the capacity to continually improve the school.

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The progress made towards the removal of special measures

I am copying this letter to the chair of the board of trustees, and the CEO of the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, the director of education for the Diocese of Leeds, the Department for Education’s regional director and the director of children’s services for Bradford. This letter will be published on the Ofsted reports website.

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