Portland Spencer Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This school is a community of like-minded staff and pupils committed to the school's 'ASPIRE' values. Pupils gain rewards for demonstrating that 'everyone is important', for example.

However, the school values and the actions of staff help pupils to learn to respect others because it is the right thing to do, not simply to gain a reward. Pupils celebrate difference and show empathy to their peers. One pupil said, 'There are lots of people who are different here, they are welcome and everyone has equal rights.'



There is an unwavering ambition for what all pupils can achieve academically and socially. All pupils, including those with special educational needs... and/or disabilities (SEND), are known as individuals. The school works tirelessly to create the conditions for all pupils and staff to be successful.

Pupils enjoy school and feel safe.

The school provides an expansive range of opportunities for pupils to develop their skills and interests. Pupils take part in knitting and catering clubs.

They play a significant part in the life of the school, bringing about change through the pupil parliament. Pupils have secured changes to the school's reward system and the lunch menu.

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

The school's curriculum is ambitious and intelligently designed.

Teachers know precisely what to teach and when. Pupils benefit from opportunities to think about the most complex aspects of the subjects they study, such as how to think like a scientist. The curriculum is designed to enable teachers repeatedly to remind pupils of previous learning.

As a result, pupils develop detailed knowledge exceptionally well.

When achievement does not meet the school's high expectations, the school is quick to identify the reasons for this and take effective action, so that current pupils can achieve highly. This is evident in the school's immediate, and successful, response to the 2023 published outcomes for reading.

Teachers make lessons interesting and accessible. They check for, and quickly address, any misconceptions. Teachers regularly reflect on how to adapt their teaching based on pupils' strengths and areas for development.

This helps to ensure that their teaching enables all pupils to learn new concepts thoroughly.

The curriculum places particular emphasis on subject-specific vocabulary. Pupils can talk about the meaning of terms such as unitising in mathematics, tone in art and mourning in English.

Pupils connect their learning from different parts of the curriculum. They make dreidels in design and technology and link this to their understanding of Judaism, for example. These connections between different areas of their learning help pupils to deepen their understanding.

The early years curriculum is ambitious and personalised. Staff get to know the children as soon as they start at the school. Children in the nursery quickly settle into routines.

Staff tailor the learning to children's interests. This ensures that children learn everything they need to be ready for Year one. Children confidently share their knowledge of the local area as well as of religious and community events.

Reading is prioritised. Pupils develop a love of reading. Well-trained staff provide expert support to those at the earliest stages of reading.

Pupils who need extra help are quickly identified and receive precise support. This helps them to develop their reading skills rapidly, so that they become confident readers.

Pupils with SEND are expertly supported to learn the curriculum.

Staff provide precise support well to help these pupils feel comfortable and build their knowledge. This is a highly inclusive school. Pupils with SEND are involved in every aspect of school life.

Pupils experience a calm and orderly school. They develop respectful relationships with one another and with staff. Pupils who need extra help to manage their behaviour benefit from personalised support.

Children in the early years quickly learn how to behave well.

The highly effective programme for pupils' personal development helps pupils to understand themselves and the world around them. They are active in the community, playing in the orchestra at the Albert Hall in Nottingham and singing in local care homes, for example.

They develop their leadership skills in the Eco Club, and as sports leaders and safety ambassadors. Pupils learn about different cultures and beliefs. They discuss current affairs.

They are very well prepared for their next steps when they leave the school.

Staff are overwhelmingly positive about working at this school. They say that leaders are considerate of workload and cater for staff's well-being.

They value the wide range of training the school and the trust provide. The school welcomes the community in to their 'marketplace' and for cultural events such as the Moon Festival.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.