Major Ofsted re-inspection at Blackpool's Unity Academy reveals progress amid ongoing concerns

The quality of education and pupil behaviour at one of the Fylde coast's biggest schools is improving, according to Ofsted inspectors, but concerns still remain.

After a previous inspection in 2024, Unity Academy was ordered to arrest a "decline in the quality of education" pupils experienced and improve attitudes to learning, but the achievements of many pupils remain below the national average, according to the latest inspection.

Two years ago, the behaviour and attitude of pupils at Blackpool's Unity Academy, which teaches both primary and secondary school age children, required urgent improvement.

A team of inspectors, led by Michael Pennington, re-inspected the school last month and found that staff had improved the behaviour of pupils and both primary and secondary classrooms were now "calm" and efforts had been made to improve attendance.

However, Mr Pennington added "a small, but persistent minority continue to need further support to reach the school's new behaviour expectations". The leadership of the 946-pupil school was criticised, but the most recent inspection showed improvement had been made at the school on Warbreck Hill Road.

Mr Pennington wrote in his report: "Leaders have not shied away from identifying additional areas for improvement such as pupils' attendance and behaviour. They have quickly secured a more positive culture of behaviour across the school and classrooms are usually calm and teachers and pupils can focus more on learning."

But despite many improvements in behaviour and teaching, the report said: "The number of pupils gaining the higher standard by the end of Key Stage 2 remains below average. Disadvantaged pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics continues to lag behind the attainment of pupils who are not disadvantaged, nationally.

"Nearly all indicators of attainment and progress have been below that seen nationally in the last three years. This continues to be the case for all pupil groups."

But the inspection team said the experience of SEND children at the school was much better than in the last inspection. They said: "Leaders have disadvantaged pupils' best interests at heart and understand their role in raising aspirations. Teachers are well informed about pupils' needs and the barriers that they face."

However, there was still room for improvement, according to inspectors.

"Despite a considerable amount of professional development, support for pupils in lessons, including those who are disadvantaged and those with SEND, is variable across classes and subjects,” the report read. "The existing weaknesses in teaching and assessment continue to hamper teachers' abilities to adapt their teaching to better meet pupils' specific learning needs."

Inspectors ordered the school to continue to make improvements.

Unity Academy has been contacted for comment.