Koru Independent AP Academy

Koru Independent AP Academy is performing very well following its first standard inspection. The school, which was registered in January 2025 and serves pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities whose places are commissioned by the local authority, meets all independent school standards and meets the safeguarding standards. Inspectors found strong practice across achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. Pupils often arrive with significant gaps in learning, previous negative experiences of school and sometimes long periods out of education, but leaders and staff respond quickly and effectively to their needs. Pupils make rapid progress from their individual starting points, including in reading, mathematics and vocational subjects, and are well prepared for college, apprenticeships or training. Attendance improves over time, behaviour is calm and respectful, and pupils are supported to manage their emotions and re-engage with education. The curriculum is broad, ambitious and carefully sequenced, and teaching is consistently strong. Personal development is a notable strength, with pupils benefiting from a wide range of enrichment, careers guidance and support for their wellbeing. Leadership is ambitious and well supported by governance. Staff feel valued, morale is high and partnerships with families and external agencies are strong. The report identifies no significant weaknesses or areas for urgent improvement. The only next step is for leaders to continue developing staff expertise so that high teaching standards are sustained across all areas of the curriculum.

Strengths

• Pupils make rapid progress from their individual starting points despite significant gaps in prior learning.
• Attendance improves notably over time because leaders prioritise it and act quickly to remove barriers.
• Behaviour is calm and respectful, with pupils responding well to clear boundaries and strong relationships.
• The curriculum is broad, ambitious and meticulously sequenced from Year 7 to Year 11.
• Teaching is consistently strong, with content broken into manageable chunks and well-targeted support.
• Inclusion is highly effective, with staff identifying and responding tenaciously to complex SEND and wellbeing needs.
• Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision and have reshaped provision to give vulnerable pupils a fresh start.
• Governance is strong, providing effective challenge and support while ensuring independent school standards are met.
• Personal development is excellent, including careers education, enrichment and support for safety and resilience.
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an open culture and pupils feeling safe and trusting staff.

In 2025–26, 72.7% of pupils at Koru Independent AP Academy were on SEN support (nationally 18.4%) and 6.1% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 7.9%).

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded independent school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

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What is Koru Independent AP Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Koru Independent AP Academy is Strong standard, from an inspection in June 2026.

When was Koru Independent AP Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

Koru Independent AP Academy was last inspected in June 2026.

How many pupils does Koru Independent AP Academy have?

Koru Independent AP Academy has 33 pupils on roll.

What age range does Koru Independent AP Academy cover?

Koru Independent AP Academy for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are Koru Independent AP Academy's GCSE results?

In 2023 its average Attainment 8 score was 6.3, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Koru Independent AP Academy?

Koru Independent AP Academy is at 90 Taunton Road, Harold Hill, Romford, RM3 7SU.