North Birmingham Academy, part of the E-ACT trust, has become the only secondary school in Birmingham to earn an 'exceptional' rating from Ofsted under the new inspection framework. This top grade, which signifies performance that is practically perfect, was awarded for the school's outstanding attendance and behavior management.
Trailblazing Attendance Methods
Inspectors praised school leaders for their "trailblazing" strategies that have kept attendance well above the national average. The report noted: "Attendance is very high when compared with the national average for all pupils. Post-16 students attend equally well." Leaders provide "swift and effective support" when any pupil's attendance slips, and the school shares its methods with other providers.
Exceptional Behaviour Standards
Ofsted also highlighted very low suspension rates and consistently high behavior expectations. The report stated: "Suspensions are very low. Pupils meet the school’s very high behaviour expectations consistently. Bullying and other prejudicial behaviour are rare. Lessons are not disrupted by poor behaviour. Pupils are consistently calm and orderly."
Context and Achievement
The achievement is particularly notable given the school's location in inner-city Erdington, near some of Birmingham's more deprived areas. Only a handful of schools in the region have received an 'exceptional' rating since the new grades were introduced earlier this year. Many of the city's top schools, including those in Sutton Coldfield or Edgbaston, have yet to be re-inspected under the new model.
The new Ofsted framework grades schools across multiple areas rather than a single overall grade, allowing for more nuanced assessments. An 'exceptional' rating requires inspectors to be particularly impressed, with many satisfactory schools receiving a 'strong standard' instead.
