E-ACT Nechells Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Nechells Primary E-ACT Academy has improved greatly since its last inspection. It now sits at the heart of the local community. Pupils are extremely happy to come to school and wear their uniform with pride.

Parents are equally positive and appreciate the support offered by the school's community and advisory hub. Relationships between pupils and staff are strong. Staff are determined that, regardless of background, all pupils should achieve well.

Pupils are keen and eager to learn. They enjoy their lessons and talk proudly with visitors about work. The school's values of 'thinking big, doing the right thing and showing team spirit' are evident in pupils' conduct and ...the way lessons are taught.

Behaviour at breaktime and lunchtime is exemplary. Pupils play together sensibly and respond quickly to staff instructions. Pupils told us that bullying is exceptionally rare and teachers act swiftly if this occurs.

Leaders have developed a well-planned curriculum which is broad and ambitious. They also provide opportunities for pupils to extend their learning beyond the classroom. For example, all pupils can attend a free residential trip to the Isle of Wight.

There are a range of extra-curricular clubs that many pupils take part in.

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

The headteacher, along with other senior leaders, has worked determinedly to improve the school. With support from the trust, leaders have created a place where expectations are high for both staff and pupils.

Leaders have successfully tackled previous weaknesses and have a well-planned curriculum in place.

Children get off to a good start in the early years. Leadership of this area has improved significantly, and children settle quickly into school life.

Children are calm and positive, and they engage with a broad range of learning activities. Leaders check on children's starting points as soon as they start school so that they get the right support quickly. As a result, children in Reception make good progress and are well prepared for key stage 1.

Leaders have put reading at the forefront of the curriculum. Children learn to read as soon as they arrive at school. All staff are trained in the teaching of phonics so that they can effectively support pupils with their reading.

Small reading groups for younger pupils help teachers to quickly spot those who fall behind. Extra support helps those pupils struggling to read to keep up. Leaders have carefully planned the books pupils read in each year group.

Teachers read a range of books with pupils that gradually get more challenging. This ensures that pupils become confident and fluent readers.

The mathematics curriculum is well established and taught consistently across the school.

Teachers receive regular training to help develop their subject knowledge and how to support pupils effectively. Topics are carefully sequenced, and leaders are ambitious about what pupils should be able to do by the end of each year. Routines in lessons are similar, which helps pupils develop their ability to problem- solve and learn mathematical facts and terminology.

Leaders have worked hard to develop subjects in the wider curriculum. In some subjects, such as history and art, it is clear what knowledge pupils should gain and build on over time. Careful thought has gone into the ordering of topics, and leaders are keen that some subjects go beyond the requirements of the national curriculum.

In history, for example, pupils in Year 5 learn about the Arab-Israeli War 1948. In Year 4 art, pupils were able to talk confidently about their recent work on Picasso and Mondrian.

Teachers routinely use quiz questions at the start of lessons to check what pupils can remember.

However, while pupils know a lot about recent topics they have studied, some pupils struggle to remember what they have been taught previously and how it connects to what they are learning now.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well at school. Staff receive regular training, including from specialists outside of the school, on how to support pupils with SEND.

Leaders have, for example, brought in additional support from a speech and language therapist to support and develop pupils' communication needs. Most individual SEND learning plans accurately identify what pupils' needs are. However, a small number of learning plans are too focused on what pupils cannot do, and not the reasons why they cannot do it.

Pupils have access to a broad range of additional opportunities, including a well-developed careers programme. Leaders ensure that all pupils can access extra-curricular opportunities so that no child misses out. Leaders have strong links with local health agencies and the police, so that pupils hear from different professionals about how to look after themselves.

Leaders effectively support pupils' mental health and well-being. They have recently been shortlisted for a national award to recognise their work in this area. Pupils have an understanding of British values and their importance to life in modern Britain.

The school plays a full and active role in the local community. Through the Nechells Community and Advisory Hub, leaders engage with parents and other adults to provide a range of workshops and access to support services. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the difference this hub has made and how it helps them to better support their children.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Policies and procedures for safeguarding are clear and well communicated to all staff. The designated safeguarding lead, assisted by her deputies, is highly knowledgeable about the risks posed to pupils in the local community.

Staff receive weekly updates on any safeguarding concerns. They also receive regular training and know how to spot pupils who are potentially at risk from harm. Pupils are taught about how to stay safe, including when working online, and are clear about what to do if they have a concern.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders have ensured that there are well-developed curriculum plans in place for all curriculum subjects. These are followed consistently by all staff. However, in some subjects, pupils struggle to recall prior learning beyond their immediate topics.

Pupils therefore find it difficult to make deep and meaningful connections in their subject knowledge over time. Leaders should ensure that teachers check that pupils know and remember more in the long term to enable them to build on their prior learning. ? Systems for the accurate identification, assessment and implementation of learning plans to meet the needs of pupils with SEND are securely in place.

However, a small number of plans are not always easy to understand. This means that there are cases when pupils have been set targets that do not fully reflect their specific educational needs. Leaders need to ensure that processes for the identification and assessment of pupils with SEND are consistently applied for all pupils.