Discovery Academy

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About Discovery Academy


Name Discovery Academy
Website http://www.thediscoveryacademy.co.uk/
Inspections
Ofsted Inspections
Principal Ms Jayne Schofield
Address Discovery Drive, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 0GA
Phone Number 01782882100
Phase Academy
Type Academy sponsor led
Age Range 11-16
Religious Character None
Gender Mixed
Number of Pupils 1387
Local Authority Stoke-on-Trent
Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have transferred pupils from the school's roll during Year 11, when this was not in the pupils' best interests. This constitutes off-rolling according to Ofsted's definition.

The practice ceased during the inspection. The school has improved since its previous inspection. All staff are very committed to seeing the school improve further.

They form a united and hard-working team. Leaders and governors provide a curriculum that contains innovative elements in all years. The curriculum meets pupils' needs well.

However, not all pupils in key stage 3 study music. Leaders know the school well. They identify weaknesses by caref...ully analysing the available evidence.

Consequently, their strategies to address weaknesses are thoughtful, considered and effective. Teaching is good and continues to improve. Teachers are very committed to improving their practice and work together well to do so.

Although lessons are usually well planned, at times activities are not as well matched to pupils' abilities as they could be. Relationships are strong across the school. Pupils like and trust their teachers.

Teachers use questioning well to check on pupils' knowledge and to deepen their understanding of their work. Leaders' and teachers' efforts to improve pupils' reading are proving successful. However, teachers in some subjects are not consistently promoting accurate spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Pupils currently in the school make good progress in all years and in most subjects. However, the most able pupils make slightly weaker progress than others. Vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and children looked after, make good progress.

Staff provide high-quality care and support for these pupils. Pupils behave well in lessons. Disruption to learning is rare.

Almost all pupils work hard and are keen to do well. The school is calm and orderly throughout the day. Pupils behave well at social times.

They move around the school sensibly. They are smartly dressed, courteous and polite. Pupils are very proud of their school.

A strong culture of care and support exists throughout the school. Consequently, pupils feel safe and are safe in school.

Information about this school

Discovery Academy is larger than the average secondary school.

It is part of the Alpha Academies Trust. According to its scheme of delegation, the board of trustees has responsibility for determining the mission, ethos and key strategic priorities for the trust. The school's LGB has responsibility for day-to-day matters, including monitoring the quality of teaching and learning, attendance, behaviour and safety.

Most pupils attending the school are White British, with a much-lower-than-average proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well above average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is broadly average, although the proportion with education, health and care plans is well above average.

The school currently has 17 children looked after on its roll. The school places some pupils who require additional support at one of nine alternative providers. These are Sporting Stars, Phoenix, Reach, Unity, Peak, Merit, Stoke-on-Trent College, Intuition and Serenity Farm.

In total, at the time of inspection, 17 pupils attended one of these providers. Most of these pupils attend their alternative provider full time, but some attend for one or two days a week, spending the remainder of the week in the school. At the time of inspection, 17 pupils across Years 9, 10 and 11 attended AP for part or all of the week.


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