Our Academy
Ofsted reports
All state-maintained schools in England are inspected by Ofsted. This includes local authority-run schools, academies and free schools, as well as non-maintained special schools, pupil referral units and further education/sixth form colleges. Ofsted also inspects some independent schools.
School inspection is currently set out in legislation through the Education Act 2005. In this act, the regular two-day inspection is described as a Section 5 inspection and ‘other inspection’ is described as a Section 8 inspection (in England). This includes the new ‘short inspection’ of schools graded ‘Good`
Schools that are rated Requires Improvement usually have a full re-inspection within 30 months.
Schools rated Inadequate have more regular monitoring, alongside support to improve their rating.
Ofsted inspectors look at four main areas:
- Quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development of pupils
- Leadership
Schools receive a judgement for each of the four inspection areas, and an overall judgement. There are four numerical grades:
- 1: Outstanding
- 2: Good
- 3: Requires Improvement
- 4: Inadequate
Latest Ofsted report
Note: the link below takes you to the highlights of our most recent Ofsted report:
Ofsted takes into account the views of parents and carers giving parents the chance to tell Ofsted what they think of your child’s school, responding to the questions asked.
The questionnaire can be completed at any time – you don’t have to wait until the school is being inspected.
Fairfax Academy was inspected in May 2024 and remained a good school. The inspection highlighted the following strengths:
- Fairfax is an inclusive and thriving school. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend well. The school has high expectations for what pupils can achieve.
- The school 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.
- 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. Their needs are well met.
- The school is led exceptionally well. All leaders are unified in their vision for the school. They are successful in realising this vision and are not complacent.
- Relationships between pupils, and between pupils and staff, are respectful and courteous in lessons and around school. Pupils’ behaviour during break and lunch times is brilliant. They conduct themselves very well in busy environments. Pupils understand the high standards and clear routines that are expected of them.
- Students in the sixth form take up a range of opportunities to support, extend and enrich their academic studies. All students and pupil s are prepared well for their next steps in education, employment or training.
- 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.
The Academy’s most recent Ofsted report, along with previous reports, can be found below.
