Acresfield Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school thrive in an environment where they are inspired to be the very best that they can be.

They are proud of their school. Relationships between adults and pupils are exceptionally strong. Pupils are very well cared for.

They know that staff do all that they can to ensure that pupils are happy and can focus on their learning. Pupils know that there are always adults ready to help them if they need support.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

From an early age, pupils are taught to be independent and resilient. This enables children in the Nursery class to choose their own play equipment with their friends. It also means that pupils in o...ther classes do not give up when they come across activities that make them think hard.

The school has high expectations of pupils' achievement. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve very highly. Pupils leave remarkably well prepared for the next stage in their education.

Pupils who hold leadership roles make an important contribution to the life of the school. Pupil parliamentarians, junior road safety officers and sports ambassadors all fulfil their responsibilities with extreme care and diligence. They are excellent role models for other pupils in the school.

Pupils understand how to care for the environment. They take care of their school and its grounds. In addition, pupils organise local litter-picking events and they are keen to recycle.

Pupils are taught to be both community-spirited and globally aware. For instance, they said why the development of renewable energy sources is so important.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Reading is prioritised from the moment that children start in the early years.

In the Nursery class, staff spark children's interest and imagination by sharing familiar books during story time. They enjoy retelling these stories with their friends. For example, by building a bridge for the 'billy goats' outdoors.

In the Reception Year and key stage 1, well-trained staff teach children and pupils to quickly learn the sounds and letters that they need in order to read. Those pupils who struggle to read, receive the additional support that they need to help them to catch up quickly.

Pupils develop a love of reading.

They use their reading knowledge to make the most of what the curriculum has to offer. By the time that pupils leave Year 6 for secondary school, they are accomplished readers with a rich knowledge of books and authors.

The extremely ambitious curriculum is very well established from the early years to Year 6.

Each subject has been tailored to enable pupils to learn about their local and wider community. The school has meticulously set out its expectations for the small steps of knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember. This allows staff to seamlessly build new concepts on what pupils have already learned.

Staff have strong subject knowledge. This enables them to carefully select resources and activities to ensure that pupils learn all that they should. Pupils take great pride in their work and they achieve very well.

By the end of key stage 2, pupils' attainment in reading, writing and mathematics is significantly above the national average.

Teachers ensure that pupils have mastered the foundations in their learning before moving on to more difficult concepts. Pupils have regular opportunities to revisit what they have already learned.

Staff correct errors or misconceptions straight away in lessons. In addition, assessment information is used to identify those pupils who may need additional support. This helps pupils to keep up with the content of the ambitious curriculum.

Across school, pupils with SEND are identified swiftly. Pupils with SEND benefit from the exceptionally high expectations that staff have of them. Staff are highly skilled at adapting activities to allow pupils with SEND to benefit from the same excellent curriculum as their peers.

In the specially resourced provision for pupils with SEND (specially resourced provision), activities are expertly tailored to enable pupils to progress well through the curriculum.

The school places a strong emphasis on pupils' personal development. This allows pupils to develop their knowledge of important concepts, such as democracy and respect.

Pupils benefit from a vast array of clubs, such as football, handbells, fine motor skills and dance. In the early years, children benefit from the buddy support that they receive from older pupils. This helps children in the early years to become confident members of the school.

The Acres Award encourages pupils to be active and give time to the local community. Pupils work towards their bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards with pride.

Pupils' behaviour is impeccable, including pupils in the specially resourced provision.

Pupils are polite and courteous. They demonstrate great respect towards one another and to the adults that they meet. In lessons, pupils listen exceptionally well to their teachers.

This means that not a moment of learning time is lost. Pupils are taught that making a mistake is an important part of learning. Attendance has a high priority.

Pupils attend school as often as they should.

Trustees and members of the local governing body ably support and challenge the school. They have a high regard for staff's workload and do all that they can to give staff the time that they need to complete additional tasks.

As a result, staff feel valued. They are incredibly proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.