Beacon Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school This school is improving rapidly.

The headteacher has raised the expectations of staff and pupils alike. Under her leadership, the school community is united in its drive to improve the life chances of its pupils. Leaders have shown great tenacity in addressing the significant problems the school has faced since it opened.

They are now seeing the fruits of their work. Senior leaders have an accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school. They know what they need to do next to improve teaching further.

The multi-academy trust's leaders monitor the school's progress closely. They provide appropriate resources ...and expertise to support the school's development. Pupils behave well.

The atmosphere is calm and purposeful. Pupils respond well to teachers' instructions. They are friendly and tolerant of each other and respectful of adults.

Pupils are keen to do well. They are proud of their work and are keen to answer questions in class. Pupils also respond well to teachers' feedback on how to improve their work.

There is a strong network of support for pupils who face extra challenges in their lives and need additional support. Staff work closely with external agencies to ensure that every pupil is safe. Pupils do increasingly well because teachers now set higher expectations.

Leaders are addressing the remaining weaker teaching. Pupils are now making good progress, but levels of attainment remain low. This is because many have low starting points and because the quality of teaching was weaker in the past.

Leaders have put a challenging and well-structured curriculum in place. It has lifted expectations and ensures that pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupils' ability to write is improving rapidly.

Teachers make sure there is an emphasis on using rich vocabulary every day. They also ensure that pupils have regular opportunities to write long passages. Consequently, pupils express themselves well.

Progress in mathematics is not as strong as in writing. This is because not all teachers are as confident in their teaching of this subject. Children get a good start in the nursery and reception classes.

Many join the school with low starting points but are catching up as a result of good teaching. Attendance is rising. However, it is still a little below the national average.

Too many pupils still miss school too often.

Information about this school

Beacon ACE Academy was formed by the amalgamation of Beacon Infant and Nursery School and Robartes Junior School in 2017. It is a larger than average primary school.

The school is part of Atlantic Centre of Excellence (ACE) Multi-Academy Trust. The school has a higher than national proportion of disadvantaged pupils. It serves an area of high deprivation.

The number of pupils with low levels of prior achievement is much higher than the national average. The school has a much higher proportion of pupils with SEND, including those on EHCPs, than the national average. The school includes a local resource base for 10 pupils that meets the needs of those with significant additional needs, often those with social, emotional and mental health needs.