The Axis Academy

The Axis Academy is performing well overall, providing a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils. The school has made significant strides in establishing a curriculum that meets the individual needs of students, especially those who often arrive with gaps in their education. With high expectations from staff and a clear framework for behavior, pupils are engaged and make good progress. However, there are areas where further improvement is needed, particularly in refining the curriculum in certain subjects and improving attendance for some pupils who do not attend regularly.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe and valued in a warm and nurturing environment.
• Staff foster positive relationships, aiding pupil re-engagement in education.
• Effective support and training are provided for teachers to meet the needs of pupils.
• Strong emphasis on reading, helping pupils catch up quickly.
• Leaders focus on developing pupils' mental health and well-being.
• Pupils are well-prepared for life beyond school with effective career guidance.

Areas for Improvement

• In a small number of subjects, the curriculum is not fully defined, hindering some pupil achievement.
• Some pupils do not attend school regularly, impacting their learning.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Axis Academy attended 83.5% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 45.3% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 8.1% of pupils at The Axis Academy were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 The Axis Academy had 5.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 7.7% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 The Axis Academy had 76 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

Pupils by main type of need

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 special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 The Axis Academy received £30,930 and spent £29,220 for each of its 74 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £617,000 (£8,343 per pupil).

Across all 3 schools of Youth Engagement Schools Trust, income was £35,727 and spending £32,625 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Crewe · Cheshire East local authority: places and applications

The Axis Academy is part of Youth Engagement Schools Trust, which runs 3 schools. The nearest others:

• The Raise Academy Widnes
• The Keystone Academy Shrewsbury

What is The Axis Academy's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Axis Academy is Good, from an inspection in May 2023.

When was The Axis Academy last inspected by Ofsted?

The Axis Academy was last inspected in May 2023.

How many pupils does The Axis Academy have?

The Axis Academy has 76 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Axis Academy cover?

The Axis Academy for pupils aged 4 to 18.

What are The Axis Academy's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 15.9, and 0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

What are The Axis Academy's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 0% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is The Axis Academy?

The Axis Academy is at Lodgefields Drive, Crewe, CW2 8TU.