Cedars Academy, located in Birmingham, West Midlands, has recently undergone an inspection on the 8th and 9th of October 2024. The school has received commendable ratings across various categories, including good for the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and outstanding for personal development and leadership and management. The headteacher, Ryan Lawrence, leads the school, which is part of the Robin Hood Multi Academy Trust, overseen by CEO Steve Taylor and chaired by Martin Collard.
Pupils at Cedars Academy express a strong sense of safety and enjoyment in attending this vibrant school. The school promotes its PRIDE values—purpose, respect, independence, determination, and equality—effectively, ensuring that these principles are understood and practiced by all members of the school community. The culture of inclusion is particularly impressive, with staff going above and beyond to ensure that every pupil feels valued, safe, and respected. The strong relationships between staff and pupils contribute to a positive school environment.
The school maintains high expectations for pupil achievement, with teachers emphasizing the importance of quality work. This is reflected in the care pupils take with their assignments, demonstrating their commitment to doing their best. Pupils are courteous and respectful towards one another, and any issues that arise are addressed promptly by staff. Attendance is a priority, with a strong emphasis on minimizing absences, resulting in a steady reduction in pupil absence rates over recent years.
Cedars Academy's curriculum is ambitious and meaningful, clearly outlining the key knowledge and skills pupils need to acquire across all subjects. Regular opportunities for revisiting previous learning help reinforce knowledge retention. In mathematics, for instance, pupils show a solid grasp of essential concepts, such as multiplication tables, which they apply effectively in problem-solving scenarios. However, there are some subjects where the planned opportunities for revisiting prior learning are less effective, leading to less secure recall among pupils.
In 2023, the percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading at the end of key stage two was below the national average. Many of these pupils entered the school at an early stage of learning English. The school employs high-quality texts to expose pupils to a diverse range of literature, enhancing their oracy and vocabulary, which aids in their English language development. The teaching of phonics is particularly strong, with skilled adults supporting pupils in becoming fluent readers.
The school excels in identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, providing targeted assistance that enables these pupils to achieve well. An extensive array of extracurricular activities enriches the pupils' educational experience, including trips to the Houses of Parliament and opportunities for personal development through curated activities that reflect their needs and aspirations.
Engagement with parents and the community is a significant strength of Cedars Academy, with parents expressing high levels of satisfaction with the support provided. The school fosters a culture of continuous professional development for staff, ensuring they are well-trained and equipped to meet the needs of their pupils. The strategic oversight of the school is exceptional, contributing to its overall effectiveness.
The safeguarding arrangements at Cedars Academy are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. While the school has made strides in implementing retrieval practices in lessons, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring that all subjects effectively reinforce key knowledge retention. Additionally, there is a need for teachers to clarify the purpose of lessons to maintain pupil engagement and maximize learning outcomes.
