Blackwater Academy

Blackwater Academy, 23 June 2026 1 Blackwater Academy 14 Riverside Drive, Stechford, Birmingham B33 9BF

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report:

Overall outcome The school meets all of the independent school standards that were checked during this inspection

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report:

At its most recent inspection, the school was judged to not meet all of the independent school standards and associated requirements.

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report:

The purpose of this inspection was to monitor the progress the school has made in meeting the independent school standards and other requirements that it was judged to not comply with at its previous inspection.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

When we carry out progress monitoring inspections of independent schools, we report on the school's likely compliance with part 8 of the independent school standards first. Under part 8, the proprietor is required to ensure that the school meets all of the independent school standards consistently. The standard in part 8 is intended to ensure that the quality of leadership and management at the school is sufficient for that purpose.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

At the last progress monitoring inspection, leaders had made significant progress towards meeting the independent school standards (ISS). However, they had not ensured that assessment was systematic and diagnostic enough to inform teaching effectively. This was also the case for those pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Consequently, pupils were not making the progress they should.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Since then then leaders have submitted an action plan to the Department for Education (DfE) to address unmet standards. The plan was considered on 6 March 2026 and was accepted with minor modifications. Leaders have made the revisions requested and the plan now includes the additional detail requested. Blackwater Academy, 23 June 2026 2 Leaders have a strong moral purpose to improve outcomes for pupils and have worked diligently and intelligently to develop and implement the systems and processes to support that aim. These are now embedded and bearing fruit as pupils’ needs are carefully identified, understood and met.

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Part 8. Quality of leadership in and management of schools

Leaders have ensured that monitoring is regular, consistent and focused on the impact of actions taken. They keep the wellbeing and progress of pupils at the heart of the curriculum and assessment provision, check the impact of these and adapt to meet needs. Consequently, leaders have ensured the independent school standards are now met in full, including those previously met in part 1, and have demonstrated their capacity to ensure that this continues to be the case.

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Assessment 3, 3(a), 3(d), 3(g)

At the last progress monitoring inspection, leaders had made progress towards using assessment to inform their understanding of how well pupils were learning and to help them to identify next steps. However, this lacked consistency. Specifically, gaps in foundational knowledge were not understood well enough, or addressed effectively enough, because assessment was not sufficiently systematic and diagnostic.

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Assessment 3, 3(a), 3(d), 3(g)

At this progress monitoring inspection, leaders were able to demonstrate the work they had done to address these weaknesses. A suitable electronic initial assessment system been implemented, but importantly, there has also been well-considered training on how to use the information this provides to personalise learning. As a result, teachers understand pupils’ starting points very well. Learning is carefully adapted to ensure that pupils can see progress quickly, building their confidence. This is underpinned by the school’s deliberately designed spiral curriculum that gradually adds in complexity over time to build on from pupils’ starting points. Subject schemes of work are topic led and well designed to enable flexibility for learners who have gaps so that pupils can start at the point that is right for them.

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Assessment 3, 3(a), 3(d), 3(g)

Very regular ongoing assessment is now supporting identification of common themes within each subject, leading to lessons dedicated to wider addressing more general misconceptions as well as support for pupils’ individual gaps and/or barriers. As a result, in each subject teachers identify the next steps to support individuals and groups of pupils. This is having a demonstrable impact on pupils’ progress and on their motivation.

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Assessment 3, 3(a), 3(d), 3(g)

The school has an appropriate focus on developing the reading skills of all pupils, including those who are at the early stage of reading. Pupils are actively encouraged to develop their reading vocabulary including that needed across subjects. Very regular and detailed assessment is shared with subject teachers, which is then used effectively to plan further Blackwater Academy, 23 June 2026 3 teaching. Evidence in pupils’ books shows that this is effectively supporting their progress across the curriculum.

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Safeguarding 7, 7(a),7(b), 32(1)(c)

Safeguarding continues to be effective. The policy meets all legislative requirements and takes local contextual issues into account. There continues to be a strong culture of safeguarding at this school which is articulated by both staff and pupils. Pupils say they feel safe and cared for and that this is a significant reason that their attendance rapidly improves when they join the school. Staff know their pupils very well and are very vigilant in identifying any signs of concern, using agreed reporting systems to ensure that all information is shared, reviewed and analysed carefully.

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Safeguarding 7, 7(a),7(b), 32(1)(c)

The school’s safeguarding policy is published on its website.

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The recruitment checks made on staff, supply staff and the proprietor

All required checks are completed and recorded appropriately. The school does not use supply staff, but leaders are fully cognisant of the checks agencies should make and share and those which they should carry out themselves, should this situation change. The proprietor has had the necessary checks from the Secretary of State and had ensured that all those in leadership roles have the relevant additional checks. Risk assessments continue to be carried out where appropriate.

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The single central record of these recruitment checks

The single central record is well-maintained. A senior leader has daily oversight and reports regularly to the executive headteacher and the proprietor. There were no administrative errors identified.

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About this inspection

Inspectors carried out this inspection under sections 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008, at the request of the registration authority for independent schools. Inspectors checked the school's compliance with the independent school standards. These Blackwater Academy, 23 June 2026 4 are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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About this inspection

The inspector checked the school’s compliance with the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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About this inspection

Following our updated inspection framework, all inspections are now led by His Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) or by Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) who have previously served as HMIs.

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About this inspection

At the school’s last standard inspection on 11 February and the 25 and 26 February 2025, the school did not comply with all independent standards.

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About this inspection

The school’s first progress monitoring inspection took place on 15 October and 11 November. The school did not meet all the standards checked at this time and the DfE required the school to prepare another action plan.

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About this inspection

This action plan was evaluated on 6 March 2026.

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About this inspection

This was the school’s second progress monitoring inspection since the previous standard inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspection started on 10 June 2026. It was paused in line with Ofsted inspections and visits: Ofsted inspections and visits: Deferring, pausing and gathering additional evidence. The inspector returned on 23 June 2026 to complete the inspection.

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About this inspection

The inspector spoke with the proprietor, the executive headteacher, deputy headteachers, the chair of the governing body and some subject teachers.

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About this inspection

The inspector also reviewed relevant policies, schemes of work, individual learning plans and target setting documents. The inspector spoke with a group of pupils and looked at their work.

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About this inspection

The inspector reviewed the school’s most recent action plan and considered their progress against the actions within. This was discussed with the proprietor and the executive headteacher.

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About this school

Proprietor Blackwater Academy Ltd Directors Akhtar Begum Blackwater Academy, 23 June 2026 5 Nauman Tassawar Headteacher Mr KYLE MORRISON Type of school Other independent school Capacity 60

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compulsory school age on roll

Age range of pupils 12 to 20 Gender of pupils Mixed Annual fees for day pupils £16,000 to £45,000 Email address info@blackwateracademy.co.uk

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compulsory school age on roll

The inspector confirmed the following information about the school:

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compulsory school age on roll

The school provides education for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, aged 12 to 20 years old

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compulsory school age on roll

A significant proportion of pupils remain on the roll of their mainstream school, attending Blackwater Academy for an agreed period of time

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compulsory school age on roll

Pupils can be admitted by referral from their schools or from local authorities

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compulsory school age on roll

The school is registered to admit up to 60 pupils

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compulsory school age on roll

The school does not use any alternative provision

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compulsory school age on roll

There have been no relevant changes since the previous monitoring inspection. Blackwater Academy, 23 June 2026 6 education and skills for children and learners of all ages, and inspects and regulates services that care for children and young people

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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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compulsory school age on roll

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