The Edge Academy, Birmingham

What it's like to be a pupil at The Edge Academy

Many pupils arrive carrying the weight of disrupted education and fractured experiences, often feeling excluded and unsuccessful. At The Edge Academy, this begins to change. Pupils now describe a renewed sense of belonging and optimism. They talk with pride about creative projects shared with parents and carers, such as art sessions and overnight residentials that build resilience and trust. These experiences help pupils see to themselves differently and broaden their horizons. Staff encourage pupils to be brave and believe in themselves. They listen, care and challenge pupils to aim higher. Relationships are warm and respectful, and pupils say bullying is rare. When concerns arise, they are dealt with swiftly and effectively. Pupils feel safe and supported. Success feels tangible for pupils through, for example, immediate feedback, rewards and qualifications that open doors to future opportunities. Consequently, behaviour is calm and purposeful in lessons as well as breaktimes. Pupils enjoy learning and speak positively about lessons that help them to catch up and move forward in their learning. They value opportunities to gain practical skills and qualifications that prepare them for life beyond school. Partnerships with external organisations help to widen pupils' horizons. For example, visits to mainstream schools, football networks with other provisions, and strong community links help to make the world feel bigger and safer for pupils. For those who need extra help, the school works with families to ensure that they feel part of their children's journey, for example, through the provision of food hampers and outreach support. Pupils also appreciate life skills lessons that help them to make healthy decisions beyond school, including when faced with challenges to their personal safety. This is a school where hope is rebuilt and belief takes root. As a result, it is a place that helps pupils to see themselves not by the struggles of their past, but by the promise of what lies ahead.

What Ofsted says the school should do next

• • Leaders should ensure that teaching staff routinely and consistently adapt the curriculum across subjects so that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who are disadvantaged, can access, retain and remember the intended knowledge. • Leaders should ensure that staff provide pupils with regular, purposeful opportunities to practise reading and read widely across all subjects to strengthen fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

The Edge Academy excels at helping pupils who have experienced educational disruption and exclusion to rebuild their confidence and sense of belonging. The school combines rigorous support with enriching experiences - from practical vocational training to creative projects and overnight residentials - that help pupils see themselves differently and develop real hope for their future. Staff relationships are warm and respectful, behaviour is calm and purposeful, and almost all pupils progress successfully to college, apprenticeships or employment.

Safeguarding standards are met. Leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.

Overnight residentials for Year 10 pupils, outdoor adventure activities, community engagement, artistic and cultural experiences, sporting activities, creative projects with parents and carers, pumpkin carving events, connect programme activities, football networks with other provisions, visits to mainstream schools, life skills lessons

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