The Blyth Academy is a well-led institution that has shown significant improvement since its previous inspection. The headteacher sets high expectations for both staff and students, fostering a productive learning environment. Pupils are engaged in their lessons, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a desire to impress their teachers. They take pride in their uniforms and maintain positive relationships with their educators. The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports and cultural events, which students enjoy participating in.
Lessons at the academy are purposeful and effectively delivered. Teachers manage low-level disruptions well, ensuring that the learning environment remains orderly. While many students show improvement in their behavior over time, a small number still struggle, leading to some being taught outside of regular classes and missing out on the ambitious curriculum. Pupils report that bullying is infrequent, and when it does occur, staff address it promptly. Both parents and staff feel that the school is a safe environment for students, acknowledging the positive changes made in recent years.
Leaders at the Blyth Academy are dedicated to enhancing the lives of their pupils and are committed to providing opportunities for success in adulthood. This vision is embraced by the entire staff, who take pride in their work. The curriculum has been redesigned to ensure that it meets the needs of all students, with detailed plans in place for each subject. Teachers adhere closely to these plans and utilize assessments effectively to support student learning. The quality of work produced by students is high, reflecting their ability to retain previously taught material. As a result, external examination results have shown improvement.
The school offers a broad range of subjects, with an increasing number of students enrolling in geography, history, and modern foreign languages at key stage four. Students with special educational needs and disabilities are fully integrated into the school community and study the same subjects as their peers. While some strategies to support these students are still being developed, there is a clear plan in place to ensure their needs are met.
Attendance rates have improved, but some students still do not attend regularly, resulting in gaps in their learning. Leaders actively communicate with parents regarding absences, although some parents find it challenging to contact the school. The academy provides a wide array of extracurricular opportunities and life preparation lessons covering essential topics such as equality and respect. However, not all students feel that the career guidance they receive aligns with their long-term aspirations.
Pupil behavior has improved, with most students displaying politeness and a positive attitude towards learning. Although the number of exclusions has decreased, it remains high, and some students continue to exhibit negative attitudes towards school. Leaders are working to ensure that the frequency of exclusions and classroom removals continues to decline.
The culture of reading within the school has also improved, with teachers emphasizing its importance. Students have regular opportunities to read, and support for those needing help with reading is effective. The safeguarding measures in place are robust, with clear processes for protecting students and maintaining accurate records. Staff are well-trained and aware of the risks students may face. Overall, while the Blyth Academy has made commendable progress, there are areas that require further attention, particularly regarding attendance and behavior management.
