The Academy, Selsey

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy at school and recognise that both behaviour and the way they are taught have recently improved. As a result, they are increasingly confident in their learning, and in planning their next steps in education training or employment.

Many pupils rise to the school's high expectations of behaviour and attitudes to learning. Consequently, the school's high ambition is increasingly realised and pupils' outcomes are improving.

Pupils benefit from how well the school knows them.

They feel safe and know that staff would take any concerns seriously. Pupils appreciate the school's flexible pastoral support systems, which ensure that they are well looked ...after. Disadvantaged pupils benefit from the help provided to overcome barriers that may prevent them from learning well.

Pupils are proud of the way that their voices are heard through the school council and in their everyday conversations and contact with staff. Frequent house events help pupils to get to know each other and participate in events. Pupils feel a genuine commitment to the chosen charities which each house nominates.

The school intentionally raises pupils' aspirations through a wide range of extra activities and clubs, as well as day and residential trips. These opportunities develop pupils' character and help to expand their ideas about what is possible when they leave school.

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

Previously, some pupils did not achieve well enough in their GCSEs, meaning they were not always well prepared for their next steps.

Since then, the school, alongside beneficial support from the trust, has been focused upon making necessary improvements. These include making changes to staff development and how pupils are taught. As a result, pupils' outcomes have improved as well as their readiness for their next steps.

The school now has a well-ordered curriculum and wide range of GCSE subjects on offer. Pupils appreciate the choice they now have. However, as yet, the proportion of pupils choosing to study the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects remains low.

Leaders are taking steps to increase this number.

In lessons, pupils are helped to know and remember more and are increasingly confident in their learning. However, the school does not always ensure that pupils regularly practise applying their prior knowledge.

Furthermore, the way feedback is used is not yet consistently effective. Pupils, therefore, have some gaps in their knowledge. The deepening of pupils' knowledge and skills is also not consistent.

The school is aware of this and has plans in place to strengthen the way learning activities and feedback are used.

The way that the school knows and understands its pupils is a strength. Pupils feel part of a caring community.

Parents and carers are highly positive about how well supported their children are. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are particularly well known and supported. As a result, they thrive in lessons and achieve as well as, or better than, their peers.

The development of pupils' reading, and literacy is a school priority. Pupils of all ages read frequently and benefit from tailored programmes to boost their reading skills. Pupils who are not yet fluent readers receive impactful targeted support.

The school's new behaviour processes have had a significant positive impact on the school culture. Pupils' behaviour in and out of lessons is calm and respectful. Where pupils find maintaining positive behaviour more difficult, they receive effective individualised help.

While many pupils attend school regularly, a significant minority of pupils do not attend often enough. The school has implemented a range of strategies to support these pupils. However, there is more to be done to ensure that attendance quickly improves so they do not miss out on valuable learning.

Pupils are taught about how to stay safe as well as planning for their futures through the school's personal development programme. Careers provision is strong. However, some pupils do not have enough opportunities to explore learning about the protected characteristics and fundamental British values.

This leaves them less well prepared for life in modern Britain.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Pupils are not always given appropriate opportunities to recall their knowledge and then apply what they already know to new learning.

As a result, pupils do not always connect their knowledge. This can limit their wider understanding and how well they achieve. The school should ensure that the teaching across the school's curriculum enables pupils to build upon their previous learning and achieve well.

• A significant minority of pupils do not attend school as regularly as they should. As a result, they miss out on vital learning. The school should ensure that its recently updated attendance strategy is implemented in a way that brings about rapid improvements in attendance for these pupils.

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