The King’s CofE Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Since her appointment, the headteacher has led with drive and determination. She and her leadership team have raised expectations of staff and pupils and improved all aspects of the school. While pupils' progress has been weak in the past, current pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, are learning well.

Pupils' progress is improving towards that of other pupils nationally with similar starting points. Pupils' behave very well around school and in lessons because of the clear behaviour policy. Staff enforce the policy consistently.

Higher expectations have led to an increase in fixed-term exclusions. Students in the sixth form mak...e good progress. They have individual study programmes that meet their needs.

Governors are well placed to support the school as it improves because they have an accurate view of strengths and weaknesses. The quality of teaching has improved. Teachers have good subject knowledge that they use to plan effective lessons.

However, teachers' questioning is not consistently probing enough and sometimes the tasks that teachers give to pupils are too easy. Pupils' attendance has improved and is now in line with the national average. Overall, the number of pupils who are persistently absent from school has also fallen.

However, the number of disadvantaged pupils who are persistently absent is still too high. Sometimes, teachers do not plan for pupils to develop their literacy and numeracy skills effectively in lessons.

Information about this school

In January 2015, the school reopened as a voluntary aided school.

The school is much smaller than the average-sized secondary school. Since the school opened, Staffordshire local authority ensured that the school gained support for improvement brokered through 'Entrust', and this support continues. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is higher than average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above average, and an above average proportion of pupils have an education, health and care plan. The school uses off-site provision for a very small number of pupils who attend Stoke-on-Trent College. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' progress and attainment by the end of Year 11.