Leeds West Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school There has been a significant improvement in the quality of education since the school was last inspected. The principal and senior leaders have tackled the areas for improvement inspectors identified with energy and resolve.

Senior leaders have an accurate picture of all aspects of the school's performance. Action plans provide a strong starting point for securing further improvement in the quality of education at Leeds West Academy. Middle leaders are increasingly effective.

In some subjects, middle leaders have radically redesigned the curriculum and there has been rapid improvement in the quality of teaching. However, some have less ex...perience or have been appointed to their role more recently. Governors and the multi-academy trust make a strong and influential contribution to the school's leadership and management.

They provide highly effective support and challenge for the principal and senior leaders. Additional funding is used well to improve the outcomes of disadvantaged pupils and those in Year 7 who need help to catch up in English and mathematics. Although disadvantaged pupils are making stronger progress in a range of subjects, including English and mathematics, some do not do as well as other pupils nationally who have similar starting points.

The quality of teaching has improved and is now good. Teachers receive high-quality training to improve their knowledge, skills and practice. Occasionally, pupils' learning is interrupted by low-level disruptive behaviour.

This is because, at times, the work set for pupils with lower starting points is not matched closely to their interests and abilities. Historically, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) did not achieve the best possible outcomes. Importantly, the needs of current pupils with SEND are identified and assessed accurately and the special educational provision made for them is improving strongly.

Pupils work hard and conduct themselves well. Typically, they behave in a polite and respectful way. The number of incidents of challenging or disruptive behaviour has decreased significantly as a result of the school's effective work.

The use of fixed-term exclusion has also decreased. There has been substantial improvement in attendance since the last inspection. Although improving, the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND remains below the average for other pupils nationally.

The quality of 16 to 19 study programmes is now good. There is a strong upward trend in the outcomes achieved by Year 13 students.

Information about this school

Leeds West Academy is a larger-than-average-sized secondary school for pupils aged between 11 and 18.

Following public consultation in 2017/18, the school's sixth form will close at the end of 2018/19. Currently, there are no students in Year 12. The school uses six alternative providers: Leeds City College, West 11, West 14, Oasis, Southway and Core Training and Development.

Most pupils are from White British backgrounds and very few speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils who are known to be eligible for the pupil premium is much higher than that found nationally. The proportion of pupils who need support for SEND is higher than the national average.

A lower-than-average proportion of pupils have an EHC plan. Leeds West Academy is part of the White Rose Academies Trust. The school's local accountability board includes representatives from the trust board and meets regularly to monitor the school's work and hold the principal and senior leaders to account.

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