Peak Academy marks milestone Ofsted success

We at Peak Academy  are celebrating our best Ofsted report in a decade, having secured ‘Good’ judgements in three of Ofsted’s main categories: behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Inspectors described us as “aspirational” and praised our “unwavering determination” in providing the very best learning and social events to support pupils’ success.

This is the first time we have achieved ‘Good’ ratings since 2015, marking an impressive turnaround for one of the region’s most vulnerable student communities.

As a specialist school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, we are changing lives across the region by helping students re-engage with education and prepare for bright, successful futures.

For many young people who arrive here, mainstream school has not worked out. Some have experienced permanent exclusion or spent long periods out of education altogether. We offer them a fresh start; pupils are welcomed into a safe, nurturing and structured environment where their individual needs are understood and supported from day one. According to Ofsted inspectors, Peak Academy is a place where “pupils re-engage with their education and contribute to their community.”

Relationships are at the heart of our success. Our staff work hard to create a sense of belonging, and pupils “enjoy warm relationships with adults,” helping them feel secure and valued. With strong pastoral care in place, students gain the confidence to overcome barriers and re-engage with learning.

Our journey over the past decade has been challenging and, at times, unsettling. Before joining Reach South in 2022, we had been part of two other academy trusts since opening in 2012. In our first Ofsted inspection two years later, we were graded ‘Inadequate’.

In 2015, we were rebrokered to another trust. While we were initially graded ‘Good’, we were subsequently graded as ‘Inadequate’ in 2021 under the second trust. In August 2022, we joined Reach South Academy Trust.

Under Reach South’s leadership, we have now secured our best Ofsted result in a decade. Inspectors visited us on 7–8 May, spending two days reviewing all aspects of our operations. The inspection team highlighted a number of key strengths:

• There is no ceiling on aspirations and there are high expectations for behaviour where pupils learn to respect themselves and others.
• Warm relationships and strong pastoral support help pupils feel safe and develop a sense of belonging, with pupils saying they “trust that the school will listen and act promptly.”
• We prioritise pupils’ personal development, offering a rich range of enrichment activities such as theatre trips, working in a music studio, go-karting, archery and cheerleading. These opportunities help develop pupils’ interests and talents.
• Pupils are taught the knowledge they need to lead healthy and successful lives, speaking confidently about managing emotions and staying safe online.
• We invest in high-quality staff training, coaching and mentoring. Staff say they feel “confident and effective” with secure subject knowledge and strong pedagogy, and speak of significant “camaraderie.”

This report illustrates just how far we’ve come under Reach South’s leadership and comes at a time of strengthened links between the trust and Gloucester Council.

Our Headteacher, Elisa Entwistle, said:

“This Ofsted inspection marks a real milestone for us as a school, and is testament to the tireless work of staff, the resilience of our pupils, and the steadfast support from Reach South. We are determined to continue building on this progress.

“We’re incredibly proud of the journey our students go on. They arrive with challenges, but they leave with qualifications, confidence, and real aspirations for the future. We help them reconnect, grow and thrive.”

Dean Ashton, CEO of Reach South Academy Trust, added:

“Peak Academy is a shining example of what can be achieved through strong leadership, care and belief in every child’s potential. I am so proud of how far the school community has come and am excited for what comes next.

“We continue to build our presence in the region, with Reach South selected by local authorities to set up two new free schools in Gloucester and Wiltshire – we are very proud to be supporting school improvement right across the South West, putting the interests of young people right at the forefront of everything we do.”