Delce Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school Trust leaders and governors have not ensured that much-needed improvements to leadership, teaching and learning have been made swiftly and emphatically. As a result, standards have declined. The new executive headteacher has set about making improvements but these have not yet had time to take effect.

Middle leaders have been given insufficient time to carry out improvements to teaching and learning. Consequently, their efforts have had limited effect. Teaching, learning and assessment in key stages 1 and 2 are weak.

Teaching is poorly planned and does not meet pupils' needs. Pupils underachieve. Teachers' low expectations and freq...uent staff turnover compound the problem.

Leaders have not planned the curriculum well enough to ensure that pupils build their knowledge, skills and understanding over time. Teachers in the main school do not have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These pupils make weak progress from their starting points.

Additional funding to support disadvantaged pupils' learning is not used well. The gap between their achievement and that of their peers is widening. Sometimes the behaviour of a few pupils disrupts learning.

The school has the following strengths Staff follow safeguarding procedures well. They work hard to keep children safe at school. Pupils enjoy a range of activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.

Early reading, writing and mathematics are taught systematically in the Reception class.

Information about this school

The school is part of The Castle Trust. This multi-academy trust incorporates Delce Academy and Greenway Academy in West Sussex.

The trust is responsible for school performance. A local advisory committee oversees the work of each school. The school is much larger than primary schools nationally.

Previously a junior school, the transition to a primary school began in September 2016 with the admission of the first Reception cohort. Currently, there is one full-time Reception class and one class in each of Years 1 and 2. In key stage 2, there are four classes in each year group.

The Bridge is a separate unit that offers specialist provision for up to 15 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is led by an executive headteacher and two heads of school. One head of school is responsible for the specialist provision and the second is responsible for key stages 1 and 2.

Over one quarter of pupils are disadvantaged. This is greater than the proportion found in primary schools nationally. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average for primary schools.

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