Bromley Beacon Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The executive headteacher is a modest but aspirational leader.

He is very well supported by other senior leaders, including trustees and governors. Leaders are totally transparent about the impact of their work. As a result, everyone, including trustees and governors, knows the school's strengths and priorities for improvement.

Staff morale is exceptionally high. The school works collaboratively with the schools across the trust, and with mainstream schools and the local authority. Good practice, including in the quality of teaching and safeguarding, is shared extensively across the trust.

Pupils are kept safe. The supportive and... strong relationships with pupils, families and outside agencies, protect pupils beyond the school. The achievement of pupils has improved year on year since the appointment of the executive headteacher and new staff.

Pupils make strong progress across the curriculum, including in English and mathematics. The mental health and well-being of pupils are paramount. The school helps pupils to grow and flourish in their personal development.

Pupils and students are kept safe. Pupils in all key stages are taught well. All groups of pupils make good progress throughout each key stage.

However, the quality of feedback pupils receive is inconsistent. The most able pupils are not always stretched in their learning. Some younger pupils do not have the opportunity to extend their learning outside.

Transition work prepares pupils and students well for the next stage of their education, employment or training. By the end of key stage 4, pupils achieve a good range of academic and vocational qualifications by the end of Year 11. Students in the post-16 provision continue to make the same good progress.

The focus on developing students' independent and life skills is effective. Nonetheless, a small minority of older pupils and students do not always have sufficient choice in the subjects taught. The school enables pupils to behave appropriately most of the time.

Pupils begin to develop self-control and resilience to manage situations successfully. However, younger pupils are not always encouraged to work on their own when they are able to do so.

Information about this school

Bromley Beacon Academy is part of the Bromley hub of four schools, including a primary and secondary pupil referral unit (PRU).

The school is also part of the London South East Academies Trust. Governance of Bromley Beacon Academy is delegated to a local governing body, which is held to account by a board of trustees. Several governors are also trustees.

The school opened in February 2016. There are two sites. The Orpington site provides an education for pupils in key stages 2 and 3, aged from seven to 14.

The Bromley site provides an education for pupils in key stages 4 and 5 (Years 9 to 13). All pupils attending the two sites have an education, health and care plan. All pupils have social, emotional and mental health needs.

The school is led by an executive headteacher, who is supported by two heads of school, one on each site. All pupils are on long-term placements on a full-time basis. Four out of five pupils are eligible for pupil premium funding on both sites.

The school receives pupil premium funding for these pupils and Year 7 catch-up funding. A small minority of pupils receive their education off site, on either a full-time or part-time basis. Provision consists of two of the PRUs within the Bromley Trust, Hayes and Midfield, and an external provider, The Archway.