Hearsall Community Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud of Hearsall.

It is a happy school where pupils feel safe. Staff care about the pupils and look after them very well. Pupils told us that bullying is not a problem and we agree.

Pupils know that staff will help them with any worries they might have.

Pupils behave well in lessons. This is because they are interested in their learning.

Everyone wants to do their best. Pupils play well together at break and lunchtimes. They are polite and well mannered.

Pupils have super relationships with the staff. They make visitors very welcome.

Pupils enjoy the wider opportunities they have.

There are a variety of after-sc...hool clubs including a range of sports and choir. Pupils are keen to look after the environment. The school council is working with the local authority to improve recycling facilities at the school.

Pupils value the local community. For example, pupils look forward to chatting with older residents at the weekly pensioners' lunch.

School and trust leaders work tirelessly to ensure that the curriculum is well matched to pupils' needs.

Pupils' academic and personal development are given equal value. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

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

Leaders have improved the way the curriculum is organised.

Plans in subjects like history, geography and Spanish are well sequenced. This means that pupils build specific knowledge and skills. Pupils told us about what they had learned in geography.

They can recall details about key landmarks and features of different locations. Leaders have ambitious plans to further develop the curriculum. This includes strengthening links between subjects to deepen pupils' understanding of what they are learning about.

Art and music are less well sequenced. Current plans do not connect learning well enough to help pupils improve their skills and deepen their knowledge as well as they could. This means that pupils make less progress in these subjects than other parts of the curriculum.

Leaders are knowledgeable about the subjects they are responsible for. They provide training for teachers to help them implement the curriculum. This has been very effective in English and mathematics.

Some subject leaders are very new. While they are very enthusiastic they have not yet had enough time to evaluate the quality of education in their subjects. Leaders have plans to address this.

Reading is a high priority. It is at the core of the curriculum throughout the school. Pupils have frequent opportunities to read texts that have been chosen for interest and challenge.

Teachers also choose texts that are linked to topics that pupils study. This helps pupils to deepen their understanding of what they are learning about.

Leaders ensure that all staff are trained to teach phonics well.

Pupils become fluent readers because they practise reading daily. The books they read are well matched to the sounds they know. Pupils who are new to English make strong progress with reading.

This is because teachers provide appropriate support to help them keep up with their classmates.

The leader with responsibility for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) ensures that support provided for this group of pupils is appropriate. This includes extra help when pupils are at risk of falling behind.

Pupils' personal development is given high priority. Pupils particularly enjoy learning outdoors. Here, they learn to work as part of a team to overcome challenges and solve problems.

Staff provide excellent pastoral support for pupils. There is genuine concern for pupils' well-being. There is good support for pupils who have difficulties managing their behaviour or emotions.

This helps pupils to develop positive relationships with others and to be as well prepared to learn as they can.

The early years curriculum is exciting. Adults use good subject knowledge to plan tasks that build on what children already know.

Children, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve well. Children particularly like stories. Favourites include 'The Gingerbread Man' and 'The Gruffalo'.

During visits to lessons we saw children acting out the stories, becoming the different characters with enthusiasm. Positive relationships with parents begin before children join the school. The 'Bear diary' is completed by families before children start.

This approach helps children settle quickly, and learning can be matched to the needs and interests of children straight away.

The trust provides effective support when it is needed. Staff appreciate the opportunity to work with colleagues in different trust schools.

Staff enjoy working at the school because they feel valued. Staff told us that leaders are considerate of their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

All staff work together to make sure that keeping pupils safe is at the core of what they do. Leaders act promptly when any concerns are raised about a pupil's welfare. They know the needs of the most vulnerable pupils and their families.

This means they can provide the right support to make sure these pupils get the help they need.

Leaders make sure that all staff receive up-to-date training. This includes training linked to any potential risks in the local area.

Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe. They know who to talk to if they have any worries.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Curriculum plans for art and music are not sequenced well enough.

This means that pupils do not build and deepen their knowledge in these subjects as well as they could. Leaders should continue with their work to improve the organisation of knowledge and skills in subject plans. .

Some subject leaders are new to the role. They have not yet had sufficient time to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in their subject. Leaders should ensure that new subject leaders are able to evaluate effectively their subjects and have a positive impact on the quality of education.