The Chalk Hills Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Students achieve well in a wide range of subjects including English and mathematics at KS3 and KS4.

The overall progress that students make between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 is extremely strong. Teaching is good across all key stages. Students take immense pride in their academy and behave extremely well as a result.

Their attitudes to learning are exceptionally constructive. The effective leadership of the Principal and his senior team has created a strong shared ethos which positively enhances every area of academy life. A relentless focus on the quality of teaching by leaders and governors has ensured that achievement is improving a...t every key stage.

The academy's work to keep students safe and secure is outstanding. It is not yet an outstanding school because : The sixth from requires improvement because, although standards of achievement are improving steadily, they are not yet good. Some teaching does not always allow the most able students to reach the highest standards of which they are capable.

The written feedback that students receive does not always lead to measurable improvements in students' work. Achievement in history and design and technology is not as good as in other departments.

Information about this school

Barnfield West Academy Luton opened in September 2007 and moved into new, purpose-built academy buildings in September 2011.

The academy is sponsored by the Barnfield Education Partnership Trust, which was created by Barnfield College. Direct governance is currently provided by the Barnfield Academies Trust, one part of the wider trust organisation. A proposal to separate the Barnfield Academies Trust from the Barnfield Education Partnership Trust to form a stand-alone multi-academy trust by the end of 2014 is currently under consultation.

The academy opened a shared sixth form with Barnfield South Academy Luton in September 2011. Students remain on the roll of one of the academies, but lessons may take place on either site. Barnfield West Academy Luton is larger than the average-sized secondary academy.

The proportion of students supported through school action is higher than the national average. The proportion supported through school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also higher than the national average. The proportion of students for whom the academy receives pupil premium funding is higher than the national average.

Pupil premium funding is additional funding to support students known to be eligible for free school meals and children who are looked after by the local authority. The academy currently uses alternative provision to educate a proportion of its students at Luton On Track Education Centre, Active Support Luton, Xers Luton and Ellern Mede Ridgway Service. The academy meets the current government floor standards which set the minimum expectations for students' attainment and progress by the end of Year 11.