Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of The Boulevard Academy on 3 October 2023, following two successive judgments of requires improvement. The purpose of this inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since its last graded inspection, rather than to provide an overall effectiveness grade. The inspection involved discussions with the principal and senior staff, meetings with curriculum leaders in English and modern foreign languages, lesson observations, and a review of the school's safeguarding culture.
The findings indicate that while leaders have made progress in improving the school, further work is necessary for it to achieve a good rating. The school has implemented detailed improvement plans that are closely monitored. A key focus has been on enhancing the quality of education, with leaders strengthening curriculum plans across various subjects in response to previous inspection feedback. In English, for instance, the essential knowledge that leaders want pupils to learn is now clearly defined for both pupils and staff.
Changes have also been made to the assessment processes within the school. Individual subjects are now able to design assessments that align with their specific curriculum needs, rather than conforming to a one-size-fits-all approach. This adjustment allows for more effective tracking of pupil learning in relation to the important content outlined in the curriculum. However, some pupils still exhibit gaps in their knowledge, an issue that leaders are aware of and are actively addressing through curriculum adjustments.
The school has introduced systems to monitor and analyze incidents of inappropriate and racist language. Various interventions have been implemented to reduce these incidents and to modify pupil behavior. The school emphasizes the importance of tolerance and respect through its personal, social, health, and economic (PSHE) curriculum. Despite these efforts, a minority of new pupils continue to use inappropriate language, which creates discomfort among their peers. Leaders are collaborating with external agencies to enhance the induction process for new pupils, ensuring they understand and meet the school's behavioral expectations.
The principal has been in position during the previous inspections, and the school has recently joined the Thrive Multi-Academy Trust. At the time of the inspection, the chief executive officer was engaged in meetings with the local governing body, which limited the opportunity to discuss governance matters during this visit.
In summary, while The Boulevard Academy has made strides in its improvement efforts, there remains a need for continued focus on fostering a culture of respect and addressing behavioral issues among pupils. The school is actively working to enhance its educational offerings and to ensure that all pupils feel safe and valued within the school environment. The commitment of leaders to monitor progress and implement necessary changes is evident, but the journey towards achieving a good rating requires ongoing dedication and effort. The findings from this inspection will be shared with relevant stakeholders, including the board of trustees and the regional director of the Department for Education, and will be published on the Ofsted reports website.
