Cloudside Academy shines in glowing Ofsted report

Staff and pupils at Cloudside Academy are celebrating after a highly positive Ofsted inspection report praised the school’s inclusive culture and ambitious approach to supporting every child to succeed.

The school – part of L.E.A.D. Academy Trust – was praised by inspectors for the “fully inclusive culture” established throughout the school, where leaders are described as being “relentless in their commitment to improving outcomes” for pupils, particularly those facing barriers to learning or wellbeing.

Inspectors highlighted how pupils are “proud to be part of Cloudside Academy” and feel “safe and well cared for” within the school community. One pupil told inspectors that the school had helped them “to become the best version” of themselves.

It is the first inspection the school has received under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, which no longer gives schools a single overall effectiveness judgement. Instead, schools are assessed across a range of areas.

Cloudside Academy was recognised as meeting the ‘Expected standard’ across all inspection categories, with inspectors judging the school’s provision for inclusion to be at a ‘Strong standard’, recognising the academy’s exceptional commitment to supporting pupils from all backgrounds and starting points.

Other key highlights from the report include:

• Leaders have established a “fully inclusive culture throughout the school” and are “ambitious” for all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils.
• Pupils “typically progress well through the school’s curriculum and achieve well”, with outcomes in reading and writing above national averages over time.
• Behaviour expectations are high, with pupils benefiting from “calm and purposeful classroom environments which are conducive to learning”.
• Inspectors recognised the school’s innovative reward system, where pupils earn “Cloudside coins” to develop financial awareness and responsibility.
• The curriculum is described as “ambitious and logically ordered”, with pupils valuing the “exciting and interesting learning opportunities” available to them.
• Pupils are “empowered to affect change” through leadership opportunities such as the school council and pupil parliament.
• Staff are “well supported and valued”, with teachers praising the trust’s professional learning and induction programmes.
• Pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including leadership roles, music festivals and charity events designed to broaden horizons and build confidence.