Pupils at Djanogly Strelley Academy in Nottingham say that their school is a ‘great place to be’ in a new Ofsted report which highlights some areas of excellent work.

Part of Tapestry Learning Partnership, the school has been praised for its strong work on early years; inclusion; personal development and wellbeing; and leadership and governance.

These four areas have been graded as meeting the strong standard, which Ofsted defines as referring to excellent, consistent work that’s making a real difference for children.

Mark Mallender, Chief Executive Officer, Tapestry Learning Partnership, said: “I am immensely proud of this Ofsted report, which highlights areas of excellence.

“Pupils are clearly thriving at Djanogly Strelley Academy thanks to the fantastic commitment of the staff who want to see every child succeed and flourish.”

Djanogly Strelley Academy has 392 pupils with around 65% being eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average of 26%.

Inspectors found that many pupils at the school, on Helston Drive, Strelley, attend well and attendance is continuing to improve.

Pupils, the report says, engage with a well-planned, ambitious curriculum and enjoy their learning. They are keen to learn and make notable progress.

Children across all vulnerable groups, the report adds, thrive in a culture that supports them to be the best that they can be.

Sarah O’Connell, Headteacher, Djanogly Strelley Academy, added: “Raising aspirations and supporting all pupils, regardless of their starting point, to be the best they can be is at the heart of everything we do. It is very rewarding to see this recognised by Ofsted.”

In line with the new inspection framework, Ofsted has graded the school across seven areas in addition to safeguarding.

• Early years - strong standard
• Inclusion - strong standard
• Leadership and governance - strong standard
• Personal development and wellbeing - strong standard
• Achievement - expected standard
• Attendance and behaviour - expected standard
• Curriculum and teaching - expected standard
• Safeguarding standards - met

Under Ofsted’s new style inspection reports the expected standard refers to a high standard and shows that a school is doing everything it should for pupils.

The strong standard refers to excellent, consistent work where leaders are working above the standard expected of them. Safeguarding standards are judged as being met or not met.

In other findings, the report highlights that leaders have created a welcoming, purposeful and highly inclusive culture in the school.

Leaders want all pupils to succeed personally and academically and invest in supporting all pupils to achieve well.

They are committed to meeting the needs of every pupil across the different vulnerable groups and have high aspirations for pupils with additional needs. Pupils who find learning the hardest benefit from high-quality, inclusive teaching.

Staff, and parents and carers, are highly complimentary about the effectiveness of the leadership team.

Children in the early years benefit from a language-rich, purposeful and inclusive learning environment. The curriculum is well structured, clearly sequenced and well taught.

The promotion of pupils' personal development and wellbeing is a strength of the school. Pupils enjoy enrichment activities including clubs, trips and wider opportunities.

This offer is also extended to parents and carers who benefit from coffee mornings and focused sessions to help them to support their children.

To read the report, published on 3rd August 2026, please visit https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/140555

 

Pictured: Sarah O’Connell, Headteacher, (right) with Djanogly Strelley Academy pupils and staff.