Atlas Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

At Atlas Academy, everybody is proud of the community they have created. 'Unity through Diversity' is central to the school's work.

Many pupils join school part way through the year and are immediately made to feel welcome and an important member of the school family. School is a safe place, and pupils are happy to attend.

The school sets high expectations for its pupils.

Published outcomes in national assessments are well below national averages. This is because of high levels of pupil mobility. Pupils who attend this school over time achieve well.

Pupils respond positively to the school's clear rules and routines which are introduced from the very ...start of the early years. Pupils listen carefully in class and display a positive attitude to their learning. Movement around school is calm and orderly.

Pupils are kind to one another and know that if they are worried, adults will help them. Bullying is rare and is always addressed by adults.

Pupils are keen to share their aspirations.

They aim to be 'scholarly' to prepare them well for future, chosen careers. They recognise the importance of being resilient and look forward to the Year 6 residential where they will face new challenges and push themselves 'to the limit'.

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

The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

It meets the needs of the diverse school community well. From the beginning of the early years, the curriculum follows a logical sequence. Teachers have received training to help them be clear when explaining new learning.

Many pupils arrive and leave the school throughout the academic year. There are frequent opportunities in the curriculum for pupils to revisit and consolidate learning. Teachers regularly check how well pupils are learning.

On occasions, this is not precise enough, and some pupils are given work to do that is too difficult or too easy.

Staff identify the needs of pupils with SEND quickly and accurately. Lessons are adapted to meet individual needs.

Most pupils with SEND develop their understanding alongside their peers. However, a group of pupils are members of class '7TM'. Pupils in this class access a bespoke curriculum that closely matches their needs.

This support enables these pupils to make progress.

Reading is prioritised by the school. Adults deliver the school's phonics programme consistently well.

The progress that pupils make through this programme is carefully monitored. Staff ensure that any gaps in pupils' phonics knowledge are identified and addressed. Pupils enjoy reading.

They particularly enjoy story time, when they can close their eyes and 'drift off to another world.'

Pupils are taught how to write their letters correctly during phonics lessons. However, some children do not have the level of physical development required to write with the tools given.

Some pupils do not have sufficient opportunity to practise forming their letters correctly and errors are not always corrected. As a result, some pupils struggle when asked to compose pieces of writing accurately.

In the early years, the school establishes children's starting points quickly.

The curriculum is well designed and sequenced from Nursery to Reception. Adults develop warm and positive relationships with children. In the outdoor environment, adults support children's physical development by using hoops for them to step through and beams to balance on.

Children enjoyed a walk in the community taking photographs of their homes. Then they recreated them using a range of boxes and materials. They practised saying key vocabulary such as window and roof.

The school tracks pupils' attendance diligently. As a result, attendance has improved since the previous inspection. The vast majority of pupils attend school regularly and on time.

The school is relentless in its efforts to further reduce absence. It recognises the significant challenges that many of its family's face. The school is working with external services to strengthen support for families.

There is a well-considered programme for pupils' personal development. Pupils have a clear understanding of the fundamental British values. They know what makes a healthy relationship and how to stay safe.

This includes keeping safe online and from risks within the local community, including from drugs and knife crime. Pupils understand that the world is diverse, and that people should be valued for who they are. Pupils enjoy the choice of extra-curricular clubs on offer, including art, dance, and football.

They value the opportunity to work with sports coaches.

Those responsible for governance provide effective support and challenge for the school. They know the school well.

They are proud of the school and share leaders' ambition that every pupil will succeed. Staff enjoy working at the school. They have high morale.

Staff appreciate leaders' consideration of their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school does not check for pupils' understanding in lessons with sufficient rigour.

This means that misconceptions are not addressed in a timely manner, and, on occasions, activities are not well matched to pupils' needs. The school should ensure that it accurately and consistently checks pupils' understanding throughout lessons. ? There are insufficient opportunities for pupils to practise and embed basic transcription before they move on to writing composition.

Some pupils do not form their letters correctly. Some pupils do not demonstrate the physical strength and dexterity to use the writing tools they are given. The school should ensure that pupils at the early stages of writing are given opportunities to prepare them physically for writing and that pupils are given sufficient opportunity to practise letter formation correctly.