The Robert Smyth Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The acting principal and other senior leaders are successfully leading improvements at the school.

Pupils' attainment is above the national average in a range of different subjects. In some subjects, pupils' progress is rapid, but in a few their progress is slower. The most able pupils are making faster progress than they have done in previous years.

Leaders provide disadvantaged pupils with valuable support. Disadvantaged pupils' progress has accelerated over the last year. Leaders have improved the quality of teaching since the last inspection.

However, some inconsistencies in the quality of teaching have yet to be eliminated. ...The school's work to keep pupils safe is effective. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong.

The majority of pupils behave well. Pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. They make good progress.

Pupils have access to a wide range of subjects and extra-curricular activities, which enrich their learning experience. Leaders have improved pupils' attendance. This is especially true for pupils who are disadvantaged or who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Students in the sixth form make good progress. In many subjects their progress and attainment are well above national averages. The governing body plays a vital role in school improvement.

The information governors receive from senior leaders, however, does not provide enough detail to help them raise pupils' achievement further. Subject leaders support their teams effectively. Not all subject leaders are confident yet in measuring the effectiveness of their work.

Senior leaders' improvement plans do not focus well enough on their self-evaluation. They do not measure how effective their actions are on improving pupils' progress. Subject improvement plans do not link well enough to support whole-school priorities.

The school's assessment systems for key stage 3 do not provide leaders with helpful information to support pupils' learning. Leaders have not ensured that the school's website contains all required information.

Information about this school

The Robert Smyth Academy is an average-sized secondary school.

In September 2016, the school began accepting pupils from the age of 11. The school became part of the Tudor Grange Academies Trust on 1 September 2017. The school is also part of the Tudor Grange Teaching School Alliance.

There have been several staffing changes since the last inspection. The school has also undergone a staff restructuring programme over the last year. The vice-principal is now the acting principal.

Some staff have been internally promoted to senior leadership positions. Most pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is small.

The school has a higher proportion of boys than most schools. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is well below average. A small number of pupils are supported by the Year 7 catch-up premium.

The proportion of pupils supported by the school who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is well below average. The proportion with a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is below average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of Year 11.

Currently, no pupils are taught off-site. The school does not meet requirements on the publication of information about its use of the additional catch-up funding on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.