Fairfax Academy Ofsted 2024– The proud Principal of Fairfax Academy has welcomed a glowing new Ofsted report in which the school was graded Good or Outstanding across all categories – calling it a ‘credit to the staff’.
The report, which described Fairfax as an “inclusive and thriving” environment, praised staff commitments to teaching, extracurricular activities and pastoral care, and highlighted the students’ “brilliant” behaviour and attitudes.
Ofsted inspectors visited Fairfax for the first full inspection since the Covid-19 pandemic on the 21st and 22nd May, meeting with leaders, staff and pupils and attending lessons. They also examined pupils’ work, the curriculum, safeguarding measures and surveys provided by pupils and staff.
The report said: “Fairfax is an inclusive and thriving school. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend well. Their personal development is provided for exceptionally well. The school has high expectations for what pupils can achieve.
“It has developed an ambitious and holistic curriculum that reflects those expectations. In lessons, pupils respond well to this and focus on their work. Many are keen to engage in discussion and debate.”
The school received a Good rating for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and sixth-form provision; and an Outstanding rating for personal development and leadership management – two areas of excellence Mr Castle feels especially proud of.
Leaders at Fairfax have worked hard to create an open, caring environment for their staff, believing that staff wellbeing is essential to the school and students’ success.
The report said: “Leaders are proactively considerate of staff well-being and workload. Staff talk highly of this work. They receive timely and impactful professional development in line with the identified improvements leaders want to make.”
Mr Castle said: “Happy staff make a happy school, so we are sure to foster a culture of approachability at Fairfax.
“The staff are exceptional here in terms of what they offer. They go above and beyond to give a variety of opportunities in academia, sports and the arts.”
Fairfax’s leadership was commended in the Ofsted Report, which said ‘the school is led exceptionally well, with all leaders unified in their vision’.
Mr Castle said: “For their dedication to have been recognised with an Outstanding leadership management grade is wonderful. I’m so glad the report has reaffirmed everything the staff have done and given them the recognition they deserve.”
The Inspectors praised staff devotion to the wellbeing of students and colleagues alike, highlighting Fairfax’s ‘strongly personalised’ pastoral support, ambitious and holistic curriculum and “proactive consideration of staff well-being and workload”.
Fairfax’s Outstanding personal development grading reflects the school’s culture of individualised assistance and extracurricular involvement – with the well-established House system contributing to students’ sense of belonging.
The Fairfax Academy Ofsted 2024 report said: “Pupils’ character is developed exceptionally well. This is encompassed through the ‘ARKS’ values that are lived throughout school.
“Pupils in all year groups, including those in the sixth form, are regularly rewarded for displaying positive behaviours, engaging with additional academic activities and helping others in the community.
“They take great pride in the colours they can gain for their blazer, which reflects the integrated nature of this work by the school.”
Mr Castle said: “Part of the report reflected that 100% of our kids have participated in some sort of club or activity. That’s big for the kids to have those opportunities.
“They’re proud to get up on stage to receive awards, and they celebrate each other’s achievement.
“Character development at Fairfax comes from participation. It develops resilience, and we see many students succeed after leaving because of the opportunities they’ve had.
“There’s a real sense of belonging with the house system, but also plenty of healthy competition, which prepares them for the adult world.”
Ofsted also highlighted Fairfax’s accommodation of students with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), stating that the staff’s commitment to student wellbeing is “exemplified through the work for pupils with SEND and supporting those with social, emotional and mental health needs.”
“Fairfax is an inclusive and thriving school. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend well. Their personal development is provided for exceptionally well. The school has high expectations for what pupils can achieve,”
-Ofsted report
The report said: “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the same curriculum as their peers. The school identifies their needs well. It provides staff with the training and support they require to meet pupils’ specific needs. Pupils with SEND who access the additionally resourced provision integrate very well in lessons.”
The Report also praised the school’s commitment to promoting excellent behaviour among students, with the Inspectors noting that “pupils’ character is developed exceptionally well.”
Mr Castle said: “Behaviour has been a key driver since we started. We do have sanctions in place, but mainly work to foster a culture of positivity. We celebrate when students have been polite, well-mannered or hard-working, with them and their parents.”
Now, with Ofsted’s Report providing magnificent recognition of staff and students’ excellence, the entire Fairfax community are celebrating.
Mr Castle said: I’m really proud of the staff, the students and the achievements of the school.
“Everyone here is a part of the culture, proud to wear the badge and represent Fairfax.”
Highlights from Fairfax Academy Ofsted 2024 report
- The school is led exceptionally well. All leaders are unified in their vision for the school.
- This is exemplified through the work for pupils with SEND and supporting pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs.
- Teachers have a strong shared understanding of the crucial knowledge that needs to be acquired in each subject.
- Staff have ensured that disadvantaged pupils are central to all their work to improve the school. There is clear positive impact of this work.
- Pupils’ behaviour during break and lunch time is brilliant. Pupils understand the high standards and clear routines that are expected of them.
- Pupils’ character is developed exceptionally well. This is encompassed through the ‘ARKS’ values that are lived throughout the school.
- Pupils take great pride in the colours they can gain for their blazer, which reflects the integrated nature of this work [on values] by the school.