The Rudheath Senior Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Senior leaders, including those responsible for governance, have acted with rigour to overcome the areas for improvement identified at the last inspection.

They continue to pursue relentlessly ever-higher standards in teaching and in pupils' outcomes. Consequently, the school now provides a good standard of education for pupils. Leaders have an accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development.

Plans to improve the school are precise and effective. For example, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment is now good. Leaders accurately recognise that some variability remains with the effectiveness of teachers...' questioning and have plans in place to resolve this.

Leaders effectively use the additional funding for disadvantaged pupils. These pupils play a full role in school life, including taking up pupils' leadership roles. The current attendance, behaviour, outcomes and prospects for disadvantaged pupils are good.

Leaders' plans to improve pupils' literacy have been effective and it is now good. Pupils enjoy reading and do so confidently and well. Pupils' writing, including writing at length, is strong across a range of subjects.

School leaders plan carefully Year 7 pupils' transition from primary school. Consequently, these pupils settle well and are happy. In some areas, however, pupils require more challenging work at the start of Year 7.

Pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities are well supported because staff know them well. Most of these pupils attend well and make the progress they should. Safeguarding is effective.

Leaders, including those responsible for governance, are vigilant in ensuring that eradicating risks to pupils and supporting their mental well-being are of the highest priority. Consequently, pupils say they feel safe and well supported at school. Pupils' conduct around the school is good.

They have strong attitudes to learning and attend regularly. Pupils' outcomes have improved since the last inspection and are now good. They are broadly in line with the national average across a broad range of subjects.

They are especially strong in science. However, they are weaker overall in geography and history. Most pupils make good progress from their starting points.

Leaders have provided support and training for teachers to ensure that the most able pupils are set work which routinely challenges them. This has led to improved teaching for these pupils recently, but some variability remains. Leaders review the curriculum regularly.

Consequently, pupils follow an aspirational and broad range of subjects that meet their interests and needs.

Information about this school

The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress by the end of Year 11. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils and those supported by the pupil premium funding is in line with the national average.

The number of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities supported by the school is well above the national average. The number of pupils who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan is well above the national average. The school does not use alternative provision.