Pupils who attend Pivot Academy have often found it difficult to cope in their previous schools. Several pupils come here having not attended school for a significant length of time. When pupils join the school, they are assigned a key worker to look after their needs. Pupils feel they can talk to staff if there is anything worrying them. Most pupils feel safe in school. A few pupils feel less safe when other pupils misbehave. Pupils’ social and emotional needs are well met by staff. Leaders work with several outside agencies to provide additional support for pupils. The school’s safer schools police officer attends the school regularly to do preventative work with some pupils. Pupils receive effective careers information, advice and guidance. This helps them to make informed decisions about their next steps. Pupils’ behaviour is not good. The school’s own records show that there have been several behaviour incidents over time, including assaults on staff and pupils. When pupils join the school the number of times that they are suspended from school declines over time. However, the number of suspensions remains high. Pupils understand the different types of bullying. They are confident that staff will deal with any bullying incidents quickly when they happen. The school’s curriculum is not as ambitious as it should be, including in the sixth form. Leaders have not ensured that the school’s reading programme is implemented consistently and effectively by staff across all three sites.