Boston West Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The positive, inclusive culture in this school is underpinned by a collective commitment to its 'CARE values': collaboration, attitude, respect, and equality.

Children learn these values in the early years. Throughout the school, pupils are proud of the rewards they earn for demonstrating them.

Pupils feel safe and well cared for in the school.

They enjoy positive relationships with staff and value the nurturing support that is offered when they need it.

The school has high expectations for all pupils. Staff know the pupils very well.

They constantly reflect on and develop their practice to ensure that all pupils are supported to learn well.... Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support to access the curriculum. Pupils, including those with SEND, achieve well.

The curriculum that supports pupils character development is exceptional. Pupils benefit from a well-considered array of clubs, trips, and memorable experiences. There are lots of opportunities for them to take on responsibilities.

Many do so proudly. Pupils enjoy opportunities for outside learning. They learn about birds and insects in the 'garden of inspiration'.

Pupils are involved with growing fruit and vegetables, as well as tending to the school's honeybees, to support learning about sustainability and healthy eating.

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

Reading is prioritised in the school. Children in the early years begin learning phonics as soon as they start school.

Staff teach phonics expertly. Most pupils quickly learn to read. Staff check pupils' reading knowledge frequently.

They make sure that lessons and reading books precisely match each pupil's stage of reading. Those who struggle with reading receive excellent support. Throughout key stages 1 and 2, pupils benefit from well-structured reading lessons that help them to develop as readers.

They read from a variety of texts, including non-fiction and poetry, that expose them to a range of genres and cultural influences as well as challenging vocabulary.

The school has designed a broad and ambitious curriculum. In the early years, the curriculum is designed to match children's interests and prepare them with the knowledge and skills they need for the next stages.

In most subjects in key stages 1 and 2, the curriculums precisely identify the knowledge that pupils need to learn. The knowledge is sequenced well so that pupils, at every stage, can make connections to what they have learned previously. However, in a small number of non-core subjects, the curriculum is not planned precisely enough.

In the majority of lessons, learning activities sharply focus on the important knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember. Staff use their excellent subject knowledge to explain concepts clearly. They model tasks well so that pupils know exactly what is expected of them.

There are many opportunities for pupils to practise and to revisit topics learned previously. Teachers check pupils' understanding often, they address misconceptions quickly and effectively. Pupils make good progress.

They gain knowledge securely and remember what they have learned.

In some lessons, pupils' learning is less secure. In the subjects where the curriculum is not defined precisely enough, pupils struggle to make links to what they have learned previously.

On some occasions, staff do not check pupils' learning carefully enough or effectively address misconceptions.

In the early years, children eagerly engage with activities in the very well-planned learning environment. These activities are thoughtfully designed to support pupils' physical and social development while they learn.

Expert staff help children to learn new vocabulary and develop their communication skills. In phonics and mathematics lessons, pupils demonstrate high levels of focus. Children thrive and grow into confident and resilient learners.

Throughout the school, pupils with SEND receive excellent care and support. Staff know these pupils well. They adapt lessons so that they can access the curriculum.

For example, staff in the early years use British Sign Language to support pupils with hearing impairments to access phonics lessons.

The curriculum for personal, social, and health education (PSHE) is exceptional. Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe and how to maintain good physical and mental health.

Pupils develop mature attitudes to diversity and equality. They know about healthy relationships. They are very well prepared for their next stages in education and beyond.

The school is calm and orderly. Pupils show positive attitudes to learning. Staff use routines consistently to support all pupils to behave well.

Pupils who struggle to regulate their own behaviour are well supported. The vast majority of pupils attend school well. The school works effectively with families to improve the attendance of pupils who do not attend as well as they should.

Staff are happy and proud to work at the school. They say that they are well supported to manage their workload and enjoy opportunities to develop their expertise. The multi-academy trust provides excellent support to the school, helping leaders at every level as they strive to continually develop every aspect of the school's provision.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority) ? In some non-core subjects, the knowledge that pupils should learn has not been precisely identified. Components of knowledge are not always presented in a way that helps pupils to make connections to what they have learned before.

In some lesson activities, there is a lack of clarity around what important knowledge pupils need to learn and remember. In these subjects, pupils' learning is not as deep as it might be, and they do not always remember what they have learned. The school needs to make sure that the curriculum in every subject identifies precisely what pupils will learn, and that lessons are sharply focused so that pupils learn important knowledge securely.

• In some lessons, routines for checking pupils' understanding are not applied consistently. This means that misconceptions and gaps in pupils' understanding are not always identified and addressed quickly. The school needs to ensure that routines for checking understanding and addressing misconceptions are applied consistently across the curriculum.

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