Thomas Deacon Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

This is a large popular school. The pupil population is a vibrant multicultural mix. Pupils get along well.

Many told us how much they value the care and attention of the adults who work with them. Pupils also said how much they like the excellent facilities in the impressive school buildings.

Inspectors saw pupils behaving well and working hard in their lessons and around the buildings in the junior and senior schools.

Pupils understand the updated school rules and the 'Thomas Deacon Way'. They say that school is becoming an even calmer place to learn.

Pupils can take part in many extra-curricular activities.

For example, pupils are proud t...o be members of the school's large Combined Cadet Force (CCF).

Pupils told inspectors that they are happy and feel safe. They said that they trust that adults would sort out the few incidents of bullying that occur.

A small number of pupils would welcome even more ways to report concerns that they may have.

Sixth-form students choose to study here because they have faith in the teachers and the support that they offer. Students told inspectors that the sixth form is living up to their high expectations.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders have high ambitions for what pupils can achieve. Pupils study the full curriculum in key stages 2 and 3. They choose from a wide range of subjects in key stage 4 and 5.

Over the past two years, leaders have been changing the curriculum and its delivery. These efforts are paying off. Pupils' work is of a good and improving quality.

Leaders' ambition that higher proportions of pupils are entered for the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is also bearing fruit. Increasing numbers of pupils in key stage 4 are studying EBacc subjects.

The very large majority of pupils behave well.

They have positive attitudes to their learning. In a few classes, a small number of pupils can be less focused on their work. This slows their learning and frustrates their classmates.

Curriculum leaders know their subjects well. Their curriculum plans outline what pupils need to learn and how they will add to earlier knowledge. Inspectors saw strong examples of this in art, English, history and languages.

These plans are not as well established in key stage 3 science.

Teachers have a good grasp of their subjects and how to teach them. They check pupils' understanding and help those who are not sure or who get stuck.

Pupils are confident to speak in lessons. Pupils use knowledge from their previous learning with ease to discuss more complicated work. This was noticeable in art, English, history and religious education.

Leaders know it is important for pupils to read well. In the junior school, pupils who find reading tough get expert help so that they can catch up. This support continues for as long as pupils need it.

Many pupils become more confident readers.

Pupils in the junior school study a wide range of subjects. The curriculum in these subjects is well thought out.

On occasion, in subjects such as history and languages, some Year 7 pupils repeat aspects of Year 6 work, but this work does not improve their understanding. Teachers do not give enough thought to what these few pupils already know and can do.

Staff look after pupils well and provide impressive opportunities for personal development.

Adults prepare pupils well for life in modern Britain. Pupils told inspectors that they enjoy their discussions about social and political issues. They said that this helps them to understand and appreciate different points of view.

Leaders have high expectations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Most teachers plan so that pupils with SEND learn well. However, in some classes, teachers are not using the most useful teaching strategies to meet pupils' specific learning needs well enough.

Students are doing well in the sixth form. Teachers have detailed subject knowledge and make good use of it. They think carefully about what order they will teach individual parts of each topic.

This helps students to get to grips with complex ideas. Leaders provide students with the time and facilities to carry out learning on their own. Students make good use of these.

Students told inspectors that they get useful advice to help them to make the right choices about their future.

Leaders are dedicated to providing all pupils with the best quality of education and care. Leaders reflect on what is working and make changes where they are needed.

They take stock of staff views and act to improve their well-being. Leaders make sure that teachers get appropriate training. Governors share leaders' dedication.

They know what is strong and what needs to improve in the school. The Thomas Deacon Education Trust (the trust) supports and challenges governors well. The trust also provides leaders with expert help to develop their subjects when it is needed.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders give safeguarding the highest priority. Staff are trained to carry out their safeguarding duties well.

They know it is important that they are alert to any signs that may suggest that a pupil is unsafe.

Pupils get the information they need so that they can keep themselves safe from risks that they may face.

Leaders have put systems in place so that staff take appropriate action when a pupil needs of extra care and support.

These systems work well.

Leaders carry out the necessary checks on staff working at the school. Leaders maintain records of these checks accurately.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

Curriculum leaders in science have made changes to how the curriculum is planned and delivered. Leaders should review the amendments that they are making to the key stage 3 curriculum. They should make sure that this area of the science curriculum has the cohesion evident in other key stages and in other subjects.

. About 90 pupils progress from the junior school to the senior school. In some subjects, such as history and languages, leaders need to change aspects of the key stage 3 curriculum so that it builds more coherently on what these pupils learn in key stage 2.

. Leaders have high expectations for all pupils, including those with SEND. Pupils with SEND are provided for well in most subject areas.

Leaders should make sure that teachers support these pupils to learn equally effectively in all lessons. . Leaders have put in place a strong and effective pastoral care system.

Very many pupils told inspectors how well cared for they are. A very small number of pupils said that they would like even more ways to report any worries that they may have. Pastoral leaders should review and, where necessary, make adjustments to the many avenues through which pupils can report any concerns.