Barnwell Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a school where pupils achieve extremely well.

Pupils say that they 'love' coming to this friendly school because 'teachers help you to learn a lot'. Leaders ensure that the quality of education that pupils receive is exceptional. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Lessons are taught by teachers with expert knowledge of the subjects that they teach. Teachers ensure that pupils make excellent progress from their starting points.

In the early years, staff make sure that children understand and follow routines.

This helps pupils to learn to cooperate with each other. The high levels of respect seen thr...oughout the school are learned in the early years. Barnwell Buddies help pupils to restore friendships.

This means that incidents of bullying are very rare. Pupils are encouraged to share their worries with staff. Staff respond promptly to individual concerns.

This helps pupils to feel safe in school.

Pupils benefit from a wide range of exciting experiences as they move through the school. Leaders make sure that the programme of extra-curricular activities contributes significantly to pupils' personal development.

All pupils learn to play a musical instrument. Many pupils enjoy performing in assemblies and at the 'Sage' in Gateshead.

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

Leaders have designed an exemplary curriculum for all pupils.

From early years to Year 6, the curriculum exceeds the expectations of the national curriculum. The sequence of learning for each subject ensures that pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage of education. There is a significant focus on pupils acquiring subject-specific vocabulary.

This gives pupils the confidence to talk about what they have learned. Staff make sure that pupils get plenty of practice to apply their knowledge in different contexts. For example, pupils in Year 5 use prior knowledge from mathematics lessons to understand time zones around the world in geography.

Teachers check pupils' understanding to ensure that activities build on pupils' prior knowledge. Pupils consistently achieve the goals of the curriculum. In the early years, children are deeply engaged in activities that prepare them extremely well for Year 1.

For example, in mathematics, children share 12 toy ducks into two groups of six to show equal quantities. Teachers recap prior learning often during lessons. This ensures that pupils remember important knowledge.

Pupils' knowledge is excellent. For example, in geography, pupils use maps to compare the elevation of the school site with the gradient profile of Penshaw Monument. In music, pupils learn musical notations.

They apply this to improve their performance in lessons, such as playing a melody by ABBA in unison on the recorder.

Children start learning phonics in Nursery. They remember and talk about their favourite books.

Pupils practise reading using books that match their phonic knowledge. This is helping pupils to read fluently. A few pupils receive extra help to keep up with the phonics programme.

Teachers ensure that the help that these pupils receive is matched accurately to their needs. This ensures that pupils gain the phonic and comprehension knowledge that they need for future learning. Daily story time inspires pupils to talk in detail about their favourite authors and novels, such as 'Charlotte's Web' by E Nesbitt.

Pupils also enjoy reading poetry. For example, older pupils read sonnets by William Shakespeare. This helps them to understand how authors use language that they later include in their own writing.

Pupils with SEND are supported exceptionally well. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works closely with teachers to ensure support for pupils is specific to meet their individual needs. For example, some pupils receive support to improve their speech and language.

This support gives pupils the knowledge and skills to work independently alongside their friends in class. As a result, pupils with SEND achieve extremely well from their starting points.

Pupils model the school values exceptionally in their behaviour.

Their attitudes to learning are exemplary. They take pride in their work. They love coming to school.

This is reflected in the high levels of attendance.

The curriculum for pupils' personal development is excellent. Some pupils are members of the school council, well-being ambassadors and Barnwell Buddies.

The school council ensure the outdoor sports facilities reflect what pupils want. Pupils understand how to live a healthy life. This includes how to maintain healthy relationships.

Equality is very well understood and valued by pupils. Pupils benefit from the wide range of clubs and experiences to develop their talents and interests. For example, pupils enjoy creating art with the local Coalfields Heritage Group.

Leaders provide high-quality professional development for all staff. Staff feel that leaders support their workload and welfare by giving them excellent resources to accomplish their work. Leaders are invited into schools in the region to share their excellent practice and offer support to colleagues.

Governors and trustees ensure that the school's vision 'to provide an outstanding education' is fulfilled. They have a thorough understanding of the school. This ensures that they hold leaders to account to benefit all pupils.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a strong safeguarding culture in the school. Leaders ensure that all staff receive the most up-to-date national and local safeguarding information through training.

Staff know and use the procedures and policies for keeping children safe. Respectful relationships with pupils and their families help staff to be vigilant to any signs of concern. Leaders ensure concerns are acted upon promptly to ensure that pupils and their families get the right support.

Pupils learn how to stay safe, including when online. The physical education (PE) curriculum helps pupils to learn how to stay safe in, and near, water.

Leaders make thorough checks on adults who work at the school.

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