Ash Grove Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at Ash Grove love coming to school. They are happy and enjoy the friendly atmosphere that is created by nurturing staff. Pupils use their understanding of rights and responsibilities to inform the positive relationships that they have with each other.

Pupils' conduct is impeccable. They are polite and listen to each other's viewpoints, such as enjoying debates in class.

Pupils respond well to the school's high expectations for their achievement.

Typically, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve highly. They demonstrate an exceptionally strong understanding across a broad range of subjects.

Pu...pils develop their confidence and resilience extremely well.

There are many clubs and initiatives on offer to foster pupils' talents and interests. For example, pupils enjoy clubs for art and reading, as well as for a range of different sports.

Pupils have a strong understanding of the differences between people.

Older pupils relish the wide range of leadership responsibilities available, such as being a subject ambassador or playground leader. As a result, pupils feel that they have a strong voice in changing the school community for the better. Pupils learn to appreciate the wider world and they are encouraged to think deeply about global issues.

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

The school has successfully developed a highly ambitious curriculum for all pupils. The curriculum has been designed to ensure that children in the early years and pupils in the rest of the school build on their prior learning confidently. To support this aim, the school has effective strategies in place to identify where pupils may have SEND.

Staff are highly adept at spotting any pupils who may need additional help as early as possible. From the time that children begin in the Nursery Year, staff use their detailed understanding to support pupils expertly. Staff set high expectations for pupils' learning and help them to develop basic skills in depth.

Pupils are enthusiastic about reading because of the highly effective way in which the school promotes a love of books. Children in the Nursery Year develop a strong knowledge of sounds before children in the Reception Year match these sounds to letters. Pupils are afforded a wealth of opportunities to extend their vocabulary.

In key stage 1, pupils apply this knowledge with increasing automaticity. For pupils who need extra support with their reading, there is expert help on hand. This ensures that most pupils keep up with the expectations of the phonics programme.

In key stage 2, pupils progress well and they read with strong fluency and expression.

The school and the trust ensure that staff are equipped to deliver the curriculum consistently well. For example, high-quality coaching and development for staff have led to strong curriculum delivery.

Staff use the key learning identified in the curriculum to make thorough checks on pupils' understanding. Staff use this assessment information successfully to adapt the delivery of the curriculum so that pupils remember important concepts. Pupils, including those with SEND, learn well.

Most pupils behave well and there is little disruption to learning. For example, in the early years, children, including those in the provision for two-year-olds, are quick to learn new routines. For pupils who need it, the school has developed innovative support for their social, emotional and mental health needs.

These strategies have successfully helped these pupils to rapidly improve their own behaviour.

The school has been highly successful in reducing pupils' persistent absence. It has identified and addressed the reasons that have prevented pupils from attending school more regularly.

As a result, pupils' rates of attendance are strong.

Pupils learn about other faiths and religions. They know how to be healthy, including looking after their own mental health and learning what constitutes a healthy relationship with others.

Pupils' moral and social development shines.

Trustees have clear mechanisms in place to ensure that they are well informed about the performance of the school. Trustees and staff are passionate about making the school the very best place it can be for pupils.

Staff morale is high. Staff appreciate the school's consideration of their workload and well-being when introducing new initiatives.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.