John Smeaton Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an inadequate school In the past, leadership and governance has failed to bring about the necessary improvement. The school's performance has declined since the previous inspection.

In 2018, Year 11 pupils' progress was significantly below the provisional national averages. Although leadership and governance have now been strengthened, the changes made by the new leadership team have not had time to impact fully on pupils' achievement. The majority of pupils behave well.

However, attendance is low and too many pupils exhibit poor behaviour and attitudes to learning. Recent improvements to systems to manage the performance of teachers have not had time ...to impact fully on pupils' achievement. Historically, a sizeable minority of pupils were educated off-site.

New leaders have made every effort to reintegrate these pupils, as smoothly as possible, into school life on-site. However, there is a legacy of underachievement for this cohort of pupils. Since January 2018, there has been considerable staff turbulence.

Leaders have tried to minimise the impact of this. However, there has been a negative effect on teaching and learning during this time. Some middle leaders' skills, to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment, need further development.

Assessment arrangements in the provision for pupils with complex learning difficulties are not fit for purpose. The school has the following strengths The new senior leaders have an ambitious vision for the school. They have an accurate view of the school's weaknesses and are taking the appropriate actions to make the improvements urgently required.

They are increasingly well supported by recently appointed senior and middle leaders. Arrangements to safeguard pupils are effective. Pupils feel safe and are kept safe.

The new school improvement board has a clear understanding of the school's performance. This, with appropriate support and challenge from the trust, is helping them to support and challenge the school's leaders more effectively. Changes in the sixth form have brought improvements more quickly and more consistently than in key stages 3 and 4.

Information about this school

The school is an average-sized secondary school. The school is part of United Learning Trust, whose trustees hold the ultimate responsibility for the governance of the school. Full details of the governance arrangements are available on the school's website.

The governing body was disbanded in January 2018 and replaced by a United Learning school improvement board. The period after this change saw considerable staff changes with a third of the academy staff leaving. In June 2018 the headteacher retired and a new head of school was appointed.

Most pupils are White British. The remaining pupils originate from a diverse range of minority ethnic heritages. Most pupils speak English as their first language.

The proportion of pupils receiving support from the pupil premium is above average. The proportion of pupils receiving support for SEND is below average. There is provision for pupils with complex learning needs on-site (19 pupils on roll).

As a result, the proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan is above average. The school uses several alternative providers to educate a small number of its pupils. These include: Pivot, Southways and the Medical Needs Teaching service.

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