Leigh Academy Hartley

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils flourish at this school. They are well motivated and learn how to become inquisitive and independent. Pupils behave impeccably in lessons.

They strive to meet staff's high expectations and hold each other to these standards too. Pupils feel safe in school. They know that staff will help them with any worries that they might have.

Pupils delight in learning. They learn the importance of perseverance and demonstrate this when producing high-quality work across their subjects. Pupils make secure connections between the topics and concepts within the curriculum.

Teachers help pupils build on their prior knowledge until they develop a deep understanding of ...the learning within the curriculum. Pupils achieve highly in all their subjects and perform extremely well in national examinations.

Pupils know what it takes to be a responsible citizen.

They learn about democracy through the active school council and have a wide range of leadership opportunities. Pupils contribute to the wider community extremely well. The school listens attentively to pupils' views.

Pupils choose which local charities to support and plan a rich diet of fundraising activities, such as sponsored dancing and raising money for the local food bank. Pupils are proud to be involved in these initiatives and thoroughly enjoy being part of them.

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

The school has developed a carefully planned curriculum that meets the needs of pupils from Nursery onwards extremely well.

Pupils embrace the carefully selected activities that teachers provide, and this inspires them to refine their thinking and rehearse their learning. Staff identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) accurately and plan well-thought-through adaptations for them. For example, some pupils who struggle to understand the meanings of words while reading use text recognition software to help them.

Teachers model and explain learning superbly well. For example, in physical education, staff demonstrate the best techniques for throwing the javelin and this helps pupils increase their distances. Teachers explain clearly what pupils need to learn and remember.

Pupils ask searching questions and develop their own enquiries into their subjects. Staff skilfully guide these enquiries as pupils move through the curriculum. This inspires pupils to find out more and enjoy their learning.

Teachers assess pupils' learning astutely and plan challenging work that builds on the important knowledge that pupils remember. For example, in history, pupils learn how to develop theories about the causes of historical events and test these through investigation of sources. They build a curiosity and enthusiasm for different subjects right from the time they embark on the exciting Nursery curriculum.

This ensures that pupils achieve extremely well and are prepared excellently for the next stages of their education as they move from early years into key stage 1 and then into key stage 2.

The school has an ambitious approach to reading. Teachers' expert approach to reading ensures that children begin to learn and enjoy rhymes and songs from Nursery onwards.

When pupils join in Reception, those who require support to catch up in their phonics knowledge receive swift and carefully planned support from knowledgeable staff. As a result, pupils become increasingly fluent readers, embracing different genres of books as they move through the year groups. Pupils thoroughly enjoy discussing the stories they have read and what they have learned from them.

Pupils are incredibly enthusiastic in lessons, and the school is a calm and purposeful environment. They behave excellently because they firmly believe in the school's values and recognise how they help them to do well in school. Classes that are alive with excited discussions quickly become focused.

Pupils who require guidance in how to behave learn strategies that help them to concentrate when they need to.

Teachers emphasise the school's values in lessons and this supports pupils' character development. For example, pupils in Year 6 created an exhibition on current global issues, including gender equality.

The school prioritises improving pupils' attendance. Staff contact parents regularly and support them in removing any barriers that might exist to high attendance. Leaders at all levels work with parents to set high expectations around pupils' attendance.

The school's approach to personal development is extremely well developed. Pupils learn about different faiths, visiting places of worship such as local churches. They show great sensitivity when learning about the beliefs of others and are able to confidently discuss religious stories and beliefs.

Pupils understand and embrace cultural differences, learning about children's experiences in schools in other countries. All pupils have a wide range of opportunities to compete and represent their houses and the school in sports competitions with other schools. There are a rich variety of clubs for pupils to attend, including French and drama clubs and a range of sports.

Pupils with SEND and those who are disadvantaged benefit significantly from this offer.

Parents are effusive about the school. They appreciate the depth of learning pupils experience and the way that this prepares them extremely well for their next steps.

The trust contributes significantly to the highly effective training staff receive. Trustees provide the school with insightful support and advice that helps them to improve the school even further.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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