Queens Road Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Queens Road Academy continues to be a good school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders, following the previous inspection in 2017, have ensured that Queens Road Academy continues to make progress. Leaders actively seek and implement advice to improve the provision for pupils. For example, leaders recently worked with a safeguarding expert from the local authority to review their practice.

Pupils at this school are educated well. They are happy and safe. Staff have caring relationships with pupils.

The school's values of communication, innovation, curiosity, positive mindset, resilience and critical thinking underpin pupils' experiences. Pupils have a thorough kn...owledge of these values. There is a purposeful learning atmosphere in lessons.

Leaders have high expectations of pupils academically. Pupils achieve well. As per the school motto, 'Learning and beyond', leaders promote learning beyond the curriculum effectively.

For example, pupils learn valuable skills in 'life' lessons, such as how to use a washing machine. Pupils are well prepared for their futures. Parents and carers value the very effective communication between school and home, including online updates.

Staff have set clear expectations for pupils' behaviour. Pupils behave well throughout the school day. They understand the rewards and sanctions system in school.

Pupils respond well to the special 'gold' award which recognises their consistent good behaviour and regular attendance. Staff deal with the very few incidents of inappropriate behaviour quickly and effectively.

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

Leaders have created a well-planned curriculum.

Subject leaders are knowledgeable. Staff access a range of effective resources to support their teaching. Teachers deliver activities which help pupils to practise and recall their learning.

For example, in mathematics, each lesson starts with a focus on the rapid recall of facts. From Year 1 onwards, pupils complete a daily 'arithmetic rehearsal'. Consequently, pupils have a thorough knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Pupils talk articulately about the many topics they have learned. They use the subject-specific vocabulary they have been taught well. Staff check pupils' understanding in lessons and in books to address any misconceptions.

However, in some subjects, assessment systems are in development.

Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough. Many are absent because of holidays taken in term time.

They miss out on too much learning. In some cases, leaders' actions to improve pupils' attendance have been effective, but not all.

Leaders, acting on the results of their monitoring, have recently introduced a new scheme to teach phonics.

Staff are well trained and use the resources consistently. Staff place a high priority on teaching pupils to read. Children experience daily phonics right from the start.

Pupils who need help to catch up receive daily support. Staff ensure that activities and books are carefully matched to the pupils' ability. Most pupils read accurately and fluently.

Leaders promote a love of reading effectively. They have invested in high-quality texts. Pupils are enthusiastic about reading.

They have a thorough knowledge of authors and books that they have read or been read to.

The early years staff work as a team effectively. Leaders have written thorough planning for all seven areas of learning.

Staff have created and use a 'knowledge organiser' for each topic. These organisers detail what the children will learn each half term. Children access purposeful learning activities in both the indoor and outdoor areas.

Staff skilfully teach children how to use new vocabulary. For example, children in Nursery accurately describe activities which are first, next or last.

Leaders have high expectations for pupils with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to 'achieve the best they can'.

Staff include these pupils well by adapting resources. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) holds regular meetings with parents. Parents are well informed about the progress their children are making towards their targets.

Leaders ensure that pupils are taught about health and well-being effectively. Pupils know how to stay safe, both online and offline. Many pupils enjoy accessing a range of clubs, such as drama and basketball.

Responsibilities, such as being members of the school council or being head boy or head girl, help pupils to develop their leadership skills. Pupils have a thorough understanding of equality and are aware of British values.

The trustees know the strengths and areas of development for the school well.

They ensure that the school is well led and managed. Leaders promote the well-being of staff. Most staff feel valued and say that leaders are considerate of their workload.

The headteacher recognises the importance of re-engaging the community beyond the school after COVID-19. The sports day events, which took place during the inspection, were great opportunities for parents to be directly involved with the school once again.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that safeguarding pupils is a high priority in the school. The headteacher sets a safeguarding question at the weekly briefing for teachers. The answer is shared with all staff.

This keeps them updated and alert to the risks, including those in the local community, that pupils might face. Staff are well trained. They know how to raise concerns.

Pupils who need help are identified quickly and receive effective support. Staff provide a high level of pastoral care for pupils and their families. Leaders work well with a range of external agencies.

The necessary checks have been made to ensure that staff and visitors are safe to work in school.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some wider curriculum subjects, such as physical education, assessment systems are in development. Staff do not have a clear understanding of gaps in pupils' knowledge and skills.

Leaders need to implement and embed a consistent approach to assessment in every subject. ? Some pupils do not attend school regularly enough. These pupils miss out on essential learning.

They have gaps in their knowledge. Leaders must take action to ensure that pupils' attendance improves.Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called a section 8 inspection of a good or outstanding school, because it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on a section 8 inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a section 5 inspection.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the section 8 inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the section 8 inspection as a section 5 inspection immediately.

This is the first section 8 inspection since we judged the school to be good in May 2017.