Benedict Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is an exceptional school where pupils flourish. The school has the highest expectations for what pupils can achieve.

Pupils, including children in the early years, rise to these expectations at every opportunity.

Pupils take great pride in their school and their behaviour is impeccable. They work hard in lessons and thrive when challenged.

Pupils make exceptional progress from their starting points in the early years to the end of Year 6. The school's published outcomes are high.

Pupils are very well supported to develop more widely.

They feel happy and safe. Pupils are taught to be responsible and caring citizens. They represent the sc...hool's values including 'commitment' and 'aspiration', at every opportunity.

For example, by supporting charities in the local area or taking on positions of responsibility in school, such as pupil librarians or as a playground buddy.

The school's curriculum is rich and ambitious. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.

Pupils visit a wide range of interesting places such as museums and art galleries. They talk enthusiastically about how such visits help them in their learning.

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

The well-designed school curriculum builds up pupils' knowledge and skills over time.

Leaders have thought carefully about the key knowledge they want pupils to learn and the order in which they should learn it. For example, in history, children in the early years consider their personal stories before they go on to study the Great Fire of London and the Roman Empire in the older years. Teachers encourage pupils to consider how history affects the way we live today.

Teachers present new knowledge clearly. They make sure pupils have secure foundations before moving onto new learning. As a result, pupils become independent and resilient learners.

For example, in mathematics, pupils talk confidently about how 'making mistakes' means they can improve.

Teachers check pupils' understanding regularly and correct any misconceptions quickly. They use assessment well to measure the impact of their teaching and address any gaps in learning.

Teachers and support staff have the knowledge and skills needed to help pupils with SEND or those who are new to learning English, to excel. The teaching in the early years is equally supportive and challenging. Children build their language and communication skills as well as their social and emotional development.

For example, they learn to take turns, develop friendships, and work and play with other children.

The school places great emphasis on early reading. From the start of Reception, pupils learn to read using phonics.

Pupils and those at the early stages of reading develop the phonic knowledge and skills they need to read with fluency. Teachers make sure that pupils read books which match the sounds they know. They identify quickly pupils who are not as confident and put in place a range of appropriate support.

This means pupils, including those with SEND, become confident and enthusiastic readers. Pupils are introduced to a diverse range of challenging texts as they move through the year groups. In addition, the school ensures that pupils write accurately using a wide range of vocabulary.

The school has a sharp focus on raising pupils' attendance rates. As a result, attendance has improved significantly. Leaders work closely with families and external agencies to develop pupils' positive habits of regular attendance.

Pupils' attitudes to learning are exceptional. They are polite and courteous.

Leaders have designed a rich and age-appropriate programme for pupils' personal development.

Pupils are taught to respect difference in the world. They value learning about the importance of equality and diversity. Pupils also appreciate how the school pushes them to achieve their personal best.

They learn how to stay safe, including when online, and how look after their physical and mental health.

Staff are happy and proud to work at Benedict Academy. They talk positively about the huge improvements the school has made in recent years.

Staff appreciate the efforts leaders make to reduce their workload and promote their well-being.

Trustees support leaders while holding them tightly to account for the quality of education at the school. They take their safeguarding duties seriously.

Parents and carers are positive about the school and the caring ethos it promotes. Most pupils told inspectors that their school 'is the best'.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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