Croft Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils feel proud to be members of Croft Academy. They show respectful behaviour and are responsible for making their school a nice place to attend. Kind and caring relationships are commonplace.

Pupils know that if they have worries or concerns, trusted adults will be there to help them.

Pupils achieve well because the school has high expectations for all to be successful. They are increasingly able to read, write and solve mathematical problems independently.

Pupils talk excitedly about the new things they learn and are eager to demonstrate their understanding. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported and enjoy the... same opportunities that all others receive.

Classrooms are calm places in which to learn.

Pupils listen attentively to staff and show positive attitudes to their learning. Children in the early years are well supported to understand new routines. They concentrate for long periods and form caring relationships with each other and key adults.

Pupils welcome visitors to their school, displaying good manners and kindness.

Pupils enjoy opportunities to be young leaders. Some become Croft Voice representatives.

They are responsible for listening to the views of others and raising issues with school leaders. Pupils love residential visits. A recent trip to London provided some with their first visit to the capital, which many found exciting.

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

A new leadership team, supported by a dedicated team of staff, has improved all aspects of this school's provision. In partnership with the trust, the team has successfully developed the school's curriculum. Staff receive high-quality training and use it to improve how they teach and what pupils learn.

Staff display a 'can-do' attitude, determined to do their best for the pupils they serve.

Many subjects now include learning that builds on what pupils know and can do. In most subjects, pupils can explain how prior knowledge supports them with their current learning.

However, in a few subjects, the school has only recently made changes to the curriculum. This means that the new knowledge and skills it intends pupils to learn are not yet improving what pupils know and can do.

Pupils develop a love of reading.

They enjoy it most when adults read stories to them. The school library is full of books from different periods and cultures. They include characters and storylines that pupils can relate to.

Pupils read books that are well matched to their reading level. Those who fall behind with reading are supported to keep up with their peers.

Pupils with SEND receive high-quality help.

Those with the most complex needs have personalised programmes designed to support their emotional and learning needs. The school works effectively with outside agencies and parents to develop strategies to support pupils' learning. Learning is adapted to enable pupils with SEND to make progress.

Children in the early years learn to read from their first days in school. They share stories, new rhymes and songs and develop an understanding of the world around them. Children at the early stages of developing their communication are supported to use symbols to show their feelings.

They show an increasing readiness to learn. Children learn to sit correctly when writing and develop strength and balance when playing outdoors. Children make the most of the vibrant learning environment.

They engage in activities for increasing periods as they develop their communication and language skills.

The school successfully checks pupils' understanding of their learning. Staff are clear about the important knowledge they want pupils to know and ask effective questions to confirm their understanding.

When pupils struggle, the school intervenes to help them catch up with their peers.

Pupils understand that healthy relationships require everybody to show understanding and respect. They learn that everybody is unique and that differences are to be celebrated.

Pupils visit places of worship and know the importance of being tolerant towards those who may have different beliefs from their own. Pupils understand what bullying is and feel confident that if it happens, they will get the support they need to resolve it.

The school's provision for pupils' personal development is not yet fully effective.

Some pupils' understanding of issues such as internet safety or healthy lifestyles is not enabling them to apply what they learn at school to their wider lives.

The school provides a wide range of clubs to develop pupils' talents and interests. Joining a rock band or the school choir, or attending one of many sports clubs, are just a few of the things that pupils enjoy doing.

All pupils enjoy celebration assemblies on Friday. Many like congratulating others for good attendance or demonstrating the school values of being resourceful, resilient and remarkable.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school has only recently made changes to the curriculum in a few subjects. This means that the new knowledge and skills it intends pupils to learn is not yet improving what pupils know and can do. The school should continue to ensure that all curriculum subjects are delivered as intended and that this supports pupils to know, remember and do more.

The school's provision for pupils' personal development is not as successful as it could be. Some pupils' understanding of issues such as internet safety or healthy lifestyles is not enabling them to apply what they learn at school to their wider lives. The school should ensure that its provision for pupils' wider development is of a high quality and that pupils are as well prepared as possible for their future lives.