Ofsted highlighted that “Park Community Academy is a school where everyone is welcome. The school recognises pupils …as incredibly talented individuals."

Ofsted went on to say that “The school’s tenacious approach to enabling pupils to overcome their barriers to learning helps them to thrive.”

The broad curriculum was judged to be well organised and highly ambitious, meeting pupil’s needs exceptionally well. Alongside this staff are highly focused on improving pupils’ personal, social and emotional development, as they move from the early years to the sixth form. Pupils enjoy a vast array of wider opportunities including residential visits, sporting competitions and a range of performance opportunities for the school brass band, choir and dancers. Pupils also benefit from high-quality play opportunities at social times. Due to these activities, they are happy and well-prepared for life beyond school.

Park’s approach to pastoral and behaviour support was also recognised as outstanding practice, with Ofsted stating that “Pupils and staff diligently follow the ‘PCA way’. This approach outlines the school’s high expectations for pupils’ learning and behaviour. Pupils learn to follow well-structured routines. Over time, pupils’ behaviour improves considerably. This is clearly shown in the exemplary attitudes of older pupils.” The school’s therapy dogs, Daisy and Molly also got a special mention.

Staff feel proud to work at the school and parents appreciate the strong relationships and the wide range of support provided by the school which enables their children to excel.

In September 2022 the school opened its Sixth Form Centre at the Oracle on St Anne’s Road. This was also visited by the inspectors who concluded that “The curriculum in the post-16 provision has a first-class focus on students’ academic and personal achievement. Students spoke highly of the school and the positive impact that it has had on their independence and preparation for adulthood”.

Headteacher Gill Hughes said “The whole school community is absolutely delighted with this outcome. We work hard to ensure our children and young people receive the very best curriculum offer and are well prepared for their life beyond education. We feel that OFSTED really understood our values and ethos and our persistent drive towards enabling our pupils to be successful learners, resilient individuals and responsible citizens”.