Pupils are said to know each other well and feel like an “extended family” at a school after a recent Ofsted inspection.

The education watchdog visited Bower Park Academy in Havering Road, Romford, on September 13 and 14 this year.

Overall the school - part of the Empower Learning Academy Trust - was found to be ‘good’ in all areas inspected – including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and the leadership and management.

According to the report, published on  pupils enjoy the “respectful rapport they have with staff” and follow leaders’ “high expectations”.

Inspectors found that pupils typically behave well around the school and have a positive attitude to learning.

They praised a "broad, ambitious" curriculum, adding that there have been recent subjects added such as Spanish and sociology.

Romford Recorder: Bower Park Academy has celebrated its recent Ofsted resultBower Park Academy has celebrated its recent Ofsted result (Image: Bower Park Academy)

But despite the “well planned” curriculum, the report continued: “This curricular ambition has not yet filtered through to pupils’ outcomes. Examination results at the end of 2022 were significantly below the national average.

“The school is addressing this through continued improvements to the curriculum.”

It also said that sometimes teaching does not identify and address gaps in learning precisely, leaving misconceptions in place and hampering future learning.

Nevertheless, the report states that pupils who need certain support in areas such their reading receive targeted help so that they can catch up.

Principal Eddie Aylett told parents: “I am delighted that the hard work undertaken by the Bower Park Academy staff and ELAT Trust has been recognised, including the comments regarding our work on curriculum, cultural diversity, governance and that students feel part of an extended family.

“The report highlights many elements of effective provision at Bower Park Academy as well as the next steps needed to take the academy forward.

“What is very satisfying is that the next steps identified were already within our development plan prior to this inspection and are already being implemented.”

Dave Harries, chair of Bower Park’s governance committee, said: “I am thrilled for the community we serve that the Academy’s work has been externally recognised.

“We will continue to work relentlessly on embedding our culture of high aspiration and strong support for the benefit of our current and future pupils.”