strong standards observed at ‘harmonious’ and ‘successful’ secondary school

A ‘strong standard’ was observed across 5 areas of inspection: attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. While achievement and post-16 provision met the expected standard.

Colonel Frank Seely Academy is part of Redhill Academy Trust, a successful multi-academy trust comprising 21 academies across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

During their visit on 6 and 7 October 2026, inspectors visited lessons, looked at students’ work and spoke to a wide range of stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, leaders and governors.

Their findings recognised the school’s commitment to maintaining high levels of attendance, which they recognised as ‘consistently above national average’, and a ‘significant improvement’ in the attendance of students who have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Students feel valued and cared for. They attend very well because of the positive experiences they have at school.

OFSTED

Among the report's key findings, Ofsted noted an ‘ambitious curriculum’, taught by teachers who are ‘experts in their  subjects’ and use ‘carefully designed and research-informed strategies’. They also saw a ‘positive environment’ in which students were ‘confident to explore their learning’, ‘value their education’, and are ‘motivated to do their best’.

Students’ behaviour in lessons and around the school was described as ‘consistently harmonious and productive’. Inspectors said students were “polite and well-mannered in their interactions with each other and visitors to the school.”

The report emphasised the strength of the school’s community across multiple areas. It reads: ‘leaders know students as individuals and invest in their success.’ It also said: ‘older students act as role models and enhance the family feel of the school which supports students’ wellbeing.’ Likewise, parents and carers were said to appreciate the sense of family that they, and their children, experience at the school.

Ofsted recognised the value of co-curricular provision, which widens opportunities for students at Colonel Frank Seely Academy, stating: ‘students grow in confidence and take pride in expressing themselves through their participation in sporting and cultural activities.’

Students’ achievement in examinations at the end of Year 11 is
consistently above national averages.

oFSTED

Another strength highlighted by inspectors was the commitment of the staff body towards student achievement. They noted that ‘students’ achievement in examinations at the end of Year 11 is consistently above national averages.’ They also said that leaders’ high expectations of students were ‘warmly, consistently and positively reinforced by staff’ who - supported by the Trust – ‘seek further opportunities to improve the school.’ Furthermore, school leaders were praised for their dedication to improving exam outcomes, including ‘appropriate and effective adaptions’ for students who face challenges in their learning. 

Commendation was also attributed to Colonel Frank Seely Academy’s post-16 provision. Ofsted saw that Sixth Form students received ‘effective teaching’ and ‘progress well through the well-designed curriculum’. In addition, the report states: ‘personalised support and experiences enhance their learning and help them to achieve their goals’.

Inspectors concluded: ‘Students are provided with the knowledge, challenge and opportunities that enable them to grow as individuals.’

We are thrilled with the outcome of this inspection.  The report celebrates the strengths of our incredible school and is a real reflection of the ongoing hard-work and commitment of our staff, students and community.

Nicola Pearson - headteacher, colonel frank Seely Academy

I’d like to send my congratulations to all staff and students at Colonel Frank Seely Academy. Since joining Redhill Academy Trust, the school has gone from strength to strength, and as this Ofsted report reflects, it offers a fantastic educational experience for its students.

Andrew Burns - Chief Executive, Redhill Academy Trust

Changes to OFSTED inspections and reports from September 2025

Ofsted now inspects schools using a detailed report card system rather than a single overall grade. These report cards evaluate specific areas of school life, namely:

• attendance and behaviour
• achievement
• personal development and wellbeing
• inclusion
• leadership and governance
• curriculum and teaching
• post 16 provision

Safeguarding remains separate and is judged as 'met/not met'.

As members of Redhill Academy Trust, all our academies work closely together to collaborate, develop, support and share best practice. The judgements in our report reflect the work in our school, but also the support we receive as being part of Redhill Academy Trust.

The new five-point scale

Each graded area on the report card uses a five-point scale:

• exceptional
• strong standard
• expected standard
• needs attention
• urgent improvement

Under the previous single grading, ‘good’ was seen as being the minimum bar for standards. Under the new framework, 'Expected standard' is a significantly higher bar than the old ‘good’ and should be celebrated as a significant achievement. Ofsted explicitly describes 'expected standard' as meeting the full set of standards, including legal requirements and statutory guidance. Ofsted is explicit that the new grades cannot be compared to the old single-word judgements, because it is a different reporting approach.

Find out more about the new Ofsted report card system.