Castleford Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Castleford Academy is an exciting place to learn. Pupils follow a fulfilling curriculum. They gain deep knowledge and understanding across a wide range of subjects.

Pupils achieve exceptionally well in mathematics and science. Their progress across many other subjects is very strong. Leaders prepare pupils thoughtfully for their next steps in life.

Leaders plan memorable experiences for pupils. These include partnerships with major art galleries and ballet companies. Pupils also work with local businesses and employers.

Leaders connect trips and visits with learning in lessons. Teachers inspire pupils with the opportunities on offer. Such experiences widen pu...pils' horizons and develop their confidence.

Pupils behave very well. Leaders create a calm and respectful environment. Pupils are articulate and polite.

Leaders do not tolerate bullying, and pupils agree. Pupils know who to go to if they need help. Many pupils hold positions of responsibility.

These help to develop pupils' self-esteem. Staff listen and respond to pupils' views. The school is a safe and supportive place to learn.

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

Senior leaders want pupils to secure deep knowledge and skills across many subjects. Staff share this aim. Leaders map out carefully what pupils need to know and remember.

This is done across key stages 3 and 4. Effective teaching helps all pupils to make exceptional progress across the curriculum.

Senior leaders develop the expertise of curriculum leaders in all subjects.

Curriculum leaders share this expertise with their departments. They also share this with other schools. Teachers use research and professional development to create demanding curriculum plans.

They focus on the subject-specific language pupils need to learn. Pupils' subject knowledge is developed very well. Pupils can explain how teachers help them to remember their learning.

This strong knowledge is reflected in pupils' work and their exceptional progress at GCSE. Teachers ensure that all pupils benefit from the quality of education they provide.

Pupils value learning.

They can explain how teachers help them to learn. They listen carefully to their teachers and to one another. Pupils attend well.

Leaders and teachers help pupils to behave well. Incidents of exclusion are low and declining.

Leaders support pupils' development as responsible young people.

They make sure that the curriculum challenges racism and homophobia. Pupils value equality and the rights of others. Pupils work with local businesses in construction, care and engineering.

This builds their self-confidence. Pupils receive very high-quality careers advice. This helps the overwhelming majority move on to further education and employment.

Teachers support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) very well. They ensure pupils with SEND understand their learning across subjects. Pupils with particular needs, such as those with hearing impairments, access a full curriculum.

Teachers encourage all pupils to read. Staff provide strong support for pupils who need to catch up with their reading.

The headteacher provides clear vision for staff and pupils.

He is supported by a very strong team that has provided an exceptional quality of education for pupils. Parents and the wider community are closely involved in the life of the school. These partnerships support the curriculum.

Parents value the quality of education that their children receive.

Leaders manage school finances and resources well. They have taken practical steps to manage staff workload.

They make sure that staff can focus on their main priorities. Staff feel well-supported. They are a highly motivated team of staff who are proud to work at the school.

Leaders provide training and coaching that has developed subject expertise to a high level. Other schools value this expertise and the wider support the school provides.

In the sixth form, leaders have built a curriculum to meet students' needs.

These needs were not being met elsewhere. High levels of subject expertise carry through to the sixth form. Pupils gain deep knowledge and skills in the subjects on offer.

They also make strong progress in important English and mathematics qualifications. Students receive excellent guidance on their next steps. They also benefit from planned work experience.

They attend well. Students achieve highly in all subjects. They are very well prepared for future education and employment.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders have developed a very strong focus on safeguarding. The safeguarding team work with staff to raise awareness of pupils' safety.

They provide thorough training for staff. Leaders liaise with other professionals to check and support pupils' welfare. Staff and pupils know who to talk to if they have concerns over welfare.

Leaders follow-up any concerns on pupils' safety and record them thoroughly. Leaders teach pupils about safety through planned curriculum activities. Leaders carry out thorough checks on the suitability of adults working at school.