Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils say that they are safe and happy at school. They are very well cared for.

Typically, a younger pupil commented, 'Pupils feel safe and have lots of wonderful staff to help them out.' Pupils appreciate the distinctiveness of the school with its strong focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Staff have high expectations of pupils.

Most pupils behave well. The school is calm and focused. Relationships are polite and respectful.

Pupils engage well in lessons. Pupils and staff value the school's new behaviour policy, which has improved conduct and attitudes. Pupils say that there is some bullying.

They are confident that ...adults deal with it effectively when it occurs.

Sixth-form students benefit from an exceptional provision. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive.

One typically commented, 'All credit to the remarkable teaching staff and the school as a whole for providing such a strong foundation of education and discipline.' Students gain from a range of opportunities. A student who expressed a view typical of those of others said, 'It's a funky family – everyone is accepted and cared for, and it is a comfortable place to be.'



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

Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum that reflects the school's values. They provide pupils with a range of subjects, including Spanish, music and art. They enable pupils to specialise in different aspects of engineering and science as they move through the school.

Many more pupils choose to follow the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects at key stage 4 than previously. This curriculum prepares pupils well for further academic, vocational and applied learning in the sixth form and beyond. Leaders have created a high-quality curriculum for sixth-form students.

Leaders have developed subject curriculums that build pupils' knowledge and skills over time. For example, pupils become increasingly capable in their knowledge and application of mathematics. Teachers support and challenge pupils to revisit and build on previous learning each term and from one year to the next.

Pupils know more and remember more over time.

Teachers skilfully check what pupils know and can do. They identify gaps in pupils' knowledge.

They adapt their teaching to make sure that pupils embed their learning. Pupils appreciate this and respond well. In the sixth form, teachers expertly support students to meet demanding goals.

Teachers refine their teaching through regular and well-planned training.

Leaders are developing a culture of reading. For example, sixth-form students are trained to be 'reading buddies' with younger pupils.

Leaders have made the English curriculum more ambitious by including key literature. However, some pupils do not yet access the support they need to become fluent readers.Leaders are embedding ways to identify and assess pupils' needs.

Teachers support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to build their learning over time. Leaders access external professionals to provide specialist support when needed. Provision for sixth-form students with SEND is strong.

Many parents commented positively about the provision for pupils with SEND. However, a minority of parents disagree. Leaders have not yet ensured that provision for pupils with SEND is as strong as it should be for younger pupils.

Attendance in the sixth form has improved. In the rest of the school, attendance is improving. However, too many pupils are still regularly absent.

Pupils gain from a range of experiences that support their spiritual and moral development. For example, they learn about different religions. They develop social skills.

They learn about what is right and wrong. They explore moral issues and consider different points of view about topics and issues. They recall fond memories of last year's culture day.

Leaders ensure that equality is promoted and diversity is celebrated.

Leaders provide rich opportunities for pupils' personal development. Pupils learn about different aspects of physical and emotional health and well-being.

They provide pupils with a comprehensive personal, social, health and economic education. Leaders have developed a well-sequenced and age-appropriate relationships and sex education and health education curriculum. Leaders provide a careers programme that enables pupils to explore the choices available to them for their next steps.

Pupils are prepared well for life in modern Britain.

Sixth-form students benefit from a range of enriching opportunities. Many volunteer in the community and local hospital, for example.

Leaders develop sixth-form students' character exceptionally well.

Trustees and officers of NOVA Education Trust and governors bring a strong level of challenge and support to the leadership of the school. They are ambitious for all pupils.

They are mindful of staff's welfare and well-being. Staff are proud to work at this school. Staff's morale is positive.

They feel well supported by leaders.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders make sure that the safety and welfare of pupils are central to their work.

They consider potential local risks that pupils may face. They adapt the curriculum to ensure that pupils are taught about personal risk and how to make safe choices. Leaders know pupils well.

Staff receive regular training and updates. They know and understand their responsibilities. Leaders work well with external agencies.

They act quickly to support pupils when extra help is needed. There are robust systems in place to check and record pupils' safety.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Pupils who are at an early stage of reading do not receive the full support that they need to become fluent readers.

Some pupils do not improve their reading skills quickly enough. Leaders must ensure that pupils at an early stage of reading learn to read fluently and with comprehension, thus enabling them to develop a love of reading, and to access the rest of the curriculum more effectively. ? Leaders have not ensured that the school meets the needs of all pupils with SEND effectively.

When this is the case, this can limit how well these pupils can achieve. Leaders should ensure that all pupils with SEND, particularly the younger pupils, receive appropriate support so that they can fully access the provision and achieve as highly as they should. ? Leaders have worked hard to improve pupils' attendance and have had much success in reducing absence.

However, many pupils are regularly absent. This means that too many pupils are missing out on important learning. Leaders must ensure that pupils who are regularly absent receive the support they need to improve their attendance.