The Archer Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school The headteacher's clear, unwavering vision focuses on supporting pupils' high achievement across the curriculum.

Staff implement the vision very well. As a result, pupils receive an outstanding education. Leaders at all levels are very skilled.

They know what they do well, and concentrate their energies on what they could still do better. Consequently, leaders' capacity to continue to improve the school is very strong. Pupils make significant progress as they move through the school.

They reach high standards in a wide range of subjects, including English and mathematics. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can... achieve. There is a strong focus on the development of subject knowledge.

Teachers question pupils carefully to ensure that their learning is extended. The curriculum is responsive to pupils' interests and needs. The way in which it is organised motivates pupils.

Stretch and challenge through deeper thinking is a consistent theme through the curriculum. Teachers appreciate the high-quality training provided to make them even stronger practitioners. Disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported.

Leaders use the additional funding for these pupils very effectively. This ensures they make strong progress. Behaviour is orderly and sensible.

In lessons, behaviour is excellent. Pupils respond well to the systems in place, which ensure that they behave exceptionally well. Leaders ensure that pupils are very well looked after, and that they are kept safe.

Pupils are very happy to attend the school. Governors have a clear and accurate view of the school's strengths. They provide leaders with effective support and challenge, which ensures that the school continues to improve.

A small minority of pupils with low prior attainment do not achieve as well as their peers. Not all teachers routinely take account of these pupils' lower literacy skills when they teach difficult concepts.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized secondary school.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is similar to the national average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above the national average. This is also the case for pupils who have an education, health and care plan.

The school educates pupils from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage. The Archer Academy became a full school for the first time in September 2017.

It is a campus school, with pupils in Years 7 to 9 based at the lower school, and pupils in Years 10 and 11 at the upper school. A few pupils are educated off-site in a local pupil referral unit, The Pavilion. The headteacher has been in post since September 2015.

Also at this postcode