OFSTED

Inspection of a GOOD School

The Avenue Centre for Education has been rated “Good” in its latest Ofsted inspection conducted on 6 and 7 February 2024. 

The report highlights the school’s caring environment, where pupils feel valued, respected, and supported to regain an interest in learning. The school provides a well-designed and ambitious curriculum tailored to individual needs, enabling students to make good progress and successfully return to mainstream education. Pupils benefit from a strong focus on reading, effective behaviour management, and guidance for their future through careers information. 

The personal development programme is progressing well, and leaders are dedicated to its full implementation to further enhance opportunities for pupils to grow into confident and responsible citizens.

Safeguarding arrangements are effective, and the school continues to prioritise the well-being of both pupils and staff. 

What is it like to attend ACE?

The key to the school’s success are:

  • Pupils are happy to attend the school and feel positive about being there.
  • Pupils appreciate the dedication and hard work of all members of staff.
  • The school is a caring environment where all pupils feel valued and respected.
  • Staff provide strong support that helps pupils regain interest and confidence in learning.
  • The school has high ambitions for every pupil to achieve their potential.
  • The curriculum is carefully adapted to meet individual needs and abilities.
  • This personalised approach enables pupils to succeed and achieve well.
  • Pupils are supported to understand their emotions in a positive way.
  • Pupils are taught how to regulate their own behaviour effectively.
  • Behaviour across the school is calm, orderly, and well managed.
  • Pupils show respect for staff and their peers and are tolerant of differences.
  • Pupils feel safe at school and trust staff to support and protect them.
  • Leaders and staff address any concerns, including bullying, swiftly and effectively.
  • Older pupils receive helpful careers guidance to support decisions about their future.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and structured downtime activities help pupils feel settled, focused, and ready to learn.

What does the school do well?

  • The school carefully assesses pupils when they join so that individual needs are quickly identified and supported.
  • The school has implemented a well-designed and ambitious curriculum that supports strong learning.
  • Curriculum content is logically sequenced so that pupils build effectively on what they already know.
  • Staff understand the specific challenges faced by Key Stage 3 pupils on short-stay provision.
  • This understanding enables staff to accurately identify learning needs and support pupils to make good progress.
  • The school supports pupils effectively to reintegrate into mainstream education when appropriate.
  • The school has carefully selected a broad range of alternative providers to match pupils’ interests and needs.
  • This ensures that pupils can access an education that helps them to succeed.
  • Leaders closely monitor pupils’ progress and quickly identify gaps in learning.
  • Any gaps in learning are addressed promptly, including for pupils attending alternative provision.
  • Reading is prioritised throughout the school day and taught consistently.
  • Pupils benefit from high-quality, stimulating texts that are well matched to their reading ability.
  • Effective teaching of reading builds pupils’ confidence in reading aloud and in their written work.
  • Teachers plan and adapt the curriculum effectively, providing individualised support such as small-group teaching.
  • Staff have secure subject knowledge, are well trained, and understand pupils’ individual needs.
  • As a result, pupils continue to make progress across the curriculum.
  • The school has established a clear behaviour curriculum that teaches core values such as honesty, aspiration, respect, and kindness.
  • Staff address behaviour issues quickly and calmly, allowing pupils time to reflect and return to learning.
  • Leaders have high expectations for both pupils and staff and are reflective in their approach.
  • Staff feel supported, with leaders taking workload into account and prioritising staff well-being.

Safeguarding

  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
  • Leaders ensure that safeguarding has the highest priority.
  • Staff with responsibilities for safeguarding have a good knowledge of the local issues that affect pupils.
  • Staff work alongside external partners to help tackle serious issues, such as gang activity and crime.
  • Staff provide pupils with advice and support to help them understand how they can keep themselves safe.
  • Leaders ensure that there is regular training and communication with staff to help them remain vigilant for any signs of concern.
  • Staff report every concern, no matter how small.