Kingsbury Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

At Kingsbury Academy pupils truly are 'learning for today, preparing for tomorrow'. The school's focus on this motto ensures that it provides an aspirational environment where autism and the wide range of ways in which pupils and staff successfully communicate are celebrated.

Pupils thrive here and learn exceptionally well. Parents and carers agree. One comment, typical of many, is that 'the school has made my children shine.'



Staff understand the additional vulnerabilities that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have, particularly those with complex needs. Pupils' safety in and out of school is top priority. Pupils are taught ...how to communicate when they need help.

The school effectively works with a range of agencies and charities to support pupils and families who need extra help. Staff know pupils and their families very well. They act quickly to support pupils when they become anxious and need help with their emotions.

Consequently, pupils are calm across school, the majority of the time.

The school actively establishes connections with workplaces that promote and support individuals with communication needs. It advocates for autism in the workplace, aiming to ensure that pupils have career ambitions.

Many pupils experience the world of work, such as helping weekly in a local supermarket.

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

The school, with the support of the trust, has developed a highly ambitious curriculum that is suitable for all groups of pupils. The content of each pathway has been carefully developed to ensure that pupils build knowledge and skills over time.

Pupils work towards clearly identified targets. These are appropriate to the pupils' age and their specific needs. The school provides pupils with a breadth of wider experiences.

This helps pupils to interact with, and understand, the world around them. As a result, pupils remember the knowledge and skills that have been taught in class.

Staff, including those at the early stages of their careers, receive the knowledge and expertise that they need to deliver the curriculum with precision.

Adults skilfully make appropriate adaptations for pupils. They take pupils' specific interests into account to engage them in learning. Staff work closely together to regularly check on pupils' learning.

Pupils learn to use a range of communication systems in class and around the school. This includes using objects, pictures and symbols to express their ideas and feelings. This focus on communication enables pupils to learn extremely well across the curriculum.

The school places strong emphasis on teaching pupils how to read. Pupils, who are not yet ready to learn through a formal phonics programme, are well supported. When pupils are ready, staff teach phonics with accuracy.

Pupils benefit from many games to practise sounds and read words. For example, reading sounds after they have moved their counter when playing snakes and ladders. The school has sourced appropriate new and exciting books which are accessible and enjoyable.

Staff use pictures and objects to engage pupils and develop a love of reading.Adults uphold and reinforce the school's high expectations regarding pupil behaviour. They do so consistently so that pupils get the same messages, regardless of who is working with them.

This is highly successful because the school ensures that behaviour is explicitly taught, in a logical way, using effective communication strategies. Staff know pupils well and relationships are strong. The school pays close attention to pupils' attendance.

As a result of the school's work, pupils' attendance is high and families are supported well if they need help with their children's attendance.

The provision to support pupils' wider development is impressive. Pupils' personal development is a focus across the curriculum.

The school has thought carefully about the wider opportunities that they offer pupils. Consequently, pupils are very well prepared for later life. Pupils take part in visits to the local and wider area, such as to local parks and the theatre.

All pupils are encouraged to lead. The school removes every barrier to enable this. The junior leadership team is particularly active.

For example, working with an occupational therapist to develop the school playground.

New leaders have invigorated the school. Staff very much value the school's support for their workload and well-being.

They are committed to the education of the pupils. The governors and the trust support the school extremely well in making sure that it continues to thrive.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.