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Pupils attend school regularly and form happy memories at Ankermoor Primary Academy. They work and play with kindness and consideration for others. The school's motto of 'learn together, achieve together' is clearly evidenced.
Adults know pupils well and care about them. This makes the school a happy and safe place for pupils to learn.
Leaders expect pupils to build their knowledge in a broad range of subjects.
Children are encouraged to read regularly, and they do. This strong focus on reading helps pupils to learn across a wide range of subjects. They build their knowledge and achieve well over time.
Pupils behave well most of the time. They know t...hat bullying is wrong and say it rarely happens. Pupils are confident to talk to an adult if they are worried about something.
They trust adults to sort problems out.
Pupils know the school's values of respect, trust, responsibility, perseverance, enjoyment and high expectations. These values are personified through a range of fictional characters.
Pupils enjoy learning about these characters and the values they represent. Staff champion the school's values in weekly assemblies. Pupils appreciate the recognition and rewards they receive for putting each value into action.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
There have been changes in leadership since the beginning of the academic year. This has disrupted some aspects of the school's provision and caused uncertainty for some parents. Trust executives quickly recognised the need to provide support for the school.
This support has helped leaders maintain their focus on developing the school's curriculum and ensuring that it is taught well.
Leaders have made many improvements to the school's curriculum since the last inspection. They have identified the key knowledge and vocabulary they expect pupils to learn.
They arrange this information to build pupils' knowledge logically over time. For example, in history, pupils study the concept of 'invasion'. In Year 3, they explore the reasons for the Roman invasion of Britain.
They then deepen their understanding of 'invasion' when going on to learn about the Vikings and the Norman conquest. The well-planned curriculum is having a positive impact. As a result, pupils know and remember more about the subjects they study.
Leaders support teachers to develop their subject knowledge. Staff work in faculty teams to review the quality of education in specific subjects. Some collaborate with colleagues in other local schools.
This is helping to develop staff subject knowledge. Teachers typically know how to teach the curriculum well. For instance, they provide clear and helpful explanations to pupils.
However, on occasion, teachers do not choose activities that match curriculum goals or pupils' needs. This means pupils do not always have opportunity to practise using the knowledge they have learned.
The school teaches reading well.
Children benefit by learning phonics right from the beginning of Reception. Pupils use their phonics knowledge regularly. They practise reading in books that contain sounds they have already learned.
This helps them build fluency. Most pupils are able readers by the time they reach Year 3.
Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) study a broad range of subjects.
Teachers make useful adaptions, so that all pupils are included. Most pupils with SEND learn well and are eager to share their answers and opinions in lessons. However, the school's approach to identifying and meeting these pupils' needs is not precise enough.
This means that pupils with particularly complex needs do not always receive the specialist support they need. Leaders recognise this.
Staff actively recognise pupils for doing the right things in lessons.
They encourage them to talk about their feelings when things are not going right. Pupils value the rewards they receive, such as house points and celebration assemblies. All this helps pupils to develop mature attitudes to learning.
Most pupils are sensible and work hard. Consequently, the school is calm. This means that pupils can concentrate in class.
Adults promote pupils' personal development through the curriculum, assemblies and other opportunities. Pupils learn about different cultures and a range of social and moral issues. This helps prepare them for life in modern Britain.
Older pupils recognise what makes healthy relationships. They also talk maturely about the importance of equality. In addition, some pupils act as school councillors, lunchtime helpers and mental health ambassadors.
This promotes their self-esteem and confidence.
Leaders, including those responsible for governance, understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff feel they have been well supported through a time of considerable change.
Most parents also express positive opinions about leadership of the school, however, some parents do not share these views.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Leaders take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously.
Staff understand their roles and are vigilant to protect pupils from potential harm. They raise any concerns quickly and record them accurately. Leaders respond well to such concerns.
They support and challenge families if necessary. They also collaborate with external agencies to ensure that children receive help when they need it.
Pupils feel safe in school.
They know who to speak to when they are worried and trust adults to sort out any problems. Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. This includes them studying strategies to stay safe when using the internet.
What does the school need to do to improve?
(Information for the school and appropriate authority)
• Sometimes, teachers do not choose activities that match curriculum goals or pupils' needs. This means that some pupils do not learn as well as leaders expect. Leaders should further develop teachers' expertise in implementing the curriculum.
• Some pupils with SEND do not have their needs identified and managed precisely enough. This limits leaders' ability to meet these pupils' needs. Leaders should ensure that staff understand and apply the school's approach to identifying the needs of pupils with SEND accurately.
