Fibbersley Park Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud of their school. They welcome visitors with happy, smiling faces. Parents typically describe the school as being like a family.

They enthusiastically talk about how their child quickly settled into school life.

Leaders have high expectations of pupils' behaviour and learning. Pupils meet these expectations by working hard and behaving well.

Pupils enjoy their learning. However, some pupils do not attend school on time or often enough.

Pupils have warm, respectful relationships with staff and are caring towards each other.

Many pupils thrive in this inclusive and nurturing environment. Pupils are happy and safe. If unkind or ...unacceptable behaviour happens, pupils trust adults to solve this.

The Fibbersley passport travels alongside pupils during their time in school. Whether this be visiting the space centre or making pizza, there are lots of experiences to enjoy. Pupils value listening to each other over the school radio, celebrating events and being 'stars of the week'.

Pupils attend a wide range of clubs, including sports, multimedia and food technology. They learn to play musical instruments such as the guitar and recorder. Pupils talk enthusiastically about visits linked to their learning and how these prepare them for life in modern Britain.

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

Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum. They have thought carefully about what they want pupils to learn and when they should learn it. They have set out the steps and knowledge that pupils will work through over time.

Leaders have developed the expertise of all staff so that they understand the content of the curriculum. Where the curriculum is taught as intended, pupils achieve well. However, at times, some staff do not use ongoing assessment strategies to check whether pupils are learning the curriculum.

This means that some pupils have gaps in their knowledge.

Leaders, trustees and staff have a real passion for making a difference for pupils at this school. Leaders make sure that most pupils are well supported.

Therefore, most pupils make good progress across the curriculum, although this is not yet reflected in current published outcomes. Pupils know and remember key information in most subjects and build their knowledge over time.

Leaders have developed a strong culture and love of reading across the school.

This starts in the Nursery where there are a range of opportunities for children to listen to stories being read to them. As pupils move through the school, this love for reading grows. Pupils talked excitedly about the books they read and how teachers inspired them through class stories.

Pupils are enthusiastic about the school library and the range of books they can take home to read and enjoy. Pupils benefit from a clear phonics programme. Books are well matched to the sounds pupils are learning.

If pupils are unsure at any point, staff quickly notice and put the right support in place. This allows pupils to gain confidence and to learn to read well.

Staff accurately identify and support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) in a range of ways.

This includes using overlays and larger print which help pupils to read. However, the curriculum is not thought through for a minority of pupils with SEND. As a result, some pupils with SEND do not access the curriculum easily and do not achieve as well as they could.

Pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHC plan) receive the right care, attention and support to meet their needs. As a result, these pupils achieve well.

Working together is a strong feature of this school.

This begins in the early years where children are fully engaged in learning and play cooperatively together. Staff teach key vocabulary to the children and show them how to use these words in their learning. This allows children to be successful.

Children show great care and consideration for each other.

Pupils relate to each other well during playtimes and lunchtimes. Some pupils access a range of activities in the Oasis and Hub lunchtime clubs.

Here, they have access to a range of activities that help them to be ready to learn.

Leaders know families and pupils well. Pupils across the school benefit from a well-planned programme of nurture and family support.

Leaders take every opportunity to remind families about the importance of regular school attendance. This is making a difference for some pupils. However, there are still too many pupils who do not arrive on time or attend school regularly enough.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a clear culture of safeguarding at the school. Strong care and support systems are in place.

Leaders have positive relationships with external partners. This helps pupils to get the right help at the right time. Leaders have made the right checks to ensure that staff are safe to work in school.

They have made sure that staff know what to look for and how to report any concerns they may have. Staff are vigilant. Pupils feel safe and know what to do and who to go to for help if they have any concerns.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some lessons, pupils do not learn effectively because teachers do not address misconceptions swiftly. Where this is the case, pupils do not achieve as well as they could. Leaders should make sure that all teachers have the support and training they need so that activities help pupils make better progress.

• Activities for some pupils with SEND are not well matched to their needs. As a result, some pupils with SEND are unable to catch up quickly and work alongside their peers. Leaders should make sure that teachers provide activities for pupils with SEND which enable pupils to build on what they already know.

• Many pupils' attendance remains too low. These pupils do not achieve as well as they could or access the wider opportunities on offer. Leaders need to continue to build on their work with families so that families understand the importance of pupils attending well.