Old Hall Drive Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school are well cared for and valued highly.

They are proud of their school and the role that it plays as a respected part of the community. Pupils' best interests lie at the heart of the school's work. This helps pupils to feel happy.

They flourish from the support that they receive.

Pupils enjoy being at school. They realise the value in their education, and they work hard to get the best out of their learning.

Pupils understand the school's high expectations for their achievement and for their attitudes to learning. They readily rise to the challenge. Many pupils achieve well in subjects across the curriculum.

From the begi...nning of the early years, children develop a passion for learning and quickly settle into school routines. Pupils across the school are enthusiastic learners.

Pupils are highly supportive of one another.

Younger pupils benefit from spending quality time with older pupils, who offer guidance and act as role models. For example, during lunchtimes, pupils of different ages dine together and enjoy each other's company. Older pupils support younger pupils in their roles as 'buddies'.

Pupils benefit from a range of opportunities that develop their talents and interests, such as choir and dodgeball clubs. Year 6 enjoys special 'mission' days, including taking part in outdoor, adventurous pursuits.

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

With the support and direction of the trust, the school has established an ambitious curriculum that meets the needs of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The school understands the context of its community and uses this knowledge well to make the curriculum interesting and relevant. In the main, the curriculum clearly sets out the knowledge, vocabulary and values that it wants pupils to learn from the start of the Nursery Year to the end of Year 6.

Children in the early years get off to an excellent start.

Many enter without the knowledge or developmental characteristics that are typical for their age. The school swiftly addresses these gaps. It has carefully crafted the learning environment to support all areas of children's learning.

Children show imagination, independence and confidence while they immerse themselves in play. The school has ensured that staff have a wealth of expertise to help children to learn effectively. Consequently, children in the early years blossom and are more than ready for the next stage of their learning.

In the main, the school's focused approach to ensuring that pupils learn well permeates the rest of the school. Staff routinely check that pupils remember and apply the information that they have been taught. However, in a small number of subjects, where subject leadership is new, the curriculum is not being delivered as effectively as the school sets out.

As a result, some pupils have gaps in their knowledge.

Reading is a high priority. Pupils read from a wide range of high-quality texts and enjoy the work of many different authors.

Across school, pupils relish reading. In the Nursery Year, children learn to recognise different sounds and rhymes. This helps them to be ready to start learning from the phonics programme as soon as they start in the Reception Year.

Those children who struggle to learn new sounds receive close support. As pupils move into key stage 1, the school enables them to build on these solid foundations to become confident and fluent readers.

The school has a clear approach to quickly identifying pupils with SEND.

Skilled staff provide tailored support to help pupils with SEND learn well.

The school places high emphasis on ensuring that pupils know and follow the school's rules. Staff make sure that the environment is quiet and purposeful to enable pupils to focus on their learning.

Children in the early years play together pleasantly, listening to each other and sharing equipment respectfully. The school sets firm expectations that pupils will have high levels of attendance. Staff have a tenacious and successful approach to removing any obstacles that prevent pupils from attending school regularly.

Pupils benefit from a thoughtfully designed programme that helps them to become positive, successful citizens. For example, pupils support charities, and the school has adopted a local train station which pupils care for to enhance their sense of community and responsibility. Pupils are listened to and know that their opinions matter.

Members of the school council act as responsible advocates for other pupils. The school places a strong focus on developing pupils' empathy and resilience. Pupils are kind and tolerant of other people.

This is a school where differences are celebrated.

Trustees and the local governing body provide effective support and challenge. They want the best for pupils.

They are also mindful of staff's workload. Staff appreciate the comprehensive support for their well-being, in particular the communication and dialogue with the school whenever new initiatives are proposed.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a few subjects, the school's curriculum is not delivered as effectively as leaders intend. New leadership in these subjects is in the early stages of development. The school should ensure that new subject leadership becomes fully established so that staff deliver the curriculum as intended.