Victoria Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this school are successful, resilient, creative and happy.

They rise to the school's very high expectations of academic achievement, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils benefit from a very strong climate for learning. They excel in the many rich learning activities that the school provides for them across all subjects.

Pupils successfully strive to meet the school's high expectations of behaviour. This begins from the moment they join Year 3. They learn the importance of respect and courtesy.

They manage their own behaviour exceptionally well and encourage everyone around them to do the same. This means ...that the school is a calm, happy and harmonious place, where pupils feel safe.

Pupils are immensely proud of their school and enjoy attending.

Relationships are strongly positive. Pupils value the expert support and encouragement that they receive from staff. They know that staff listen to their concerns or worries.

Pupils flourish in the wide range of opportunities that are available. Staff ensure that all pupils can participate in, and make the most of, the wide array of clubs and activities that the school organises for them. These include golf, construction, netball and choir.

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

The school has meticulously designed an impressive curriculum. The knowledge and skills that pupils will learn are crystal clear. This means that pupils, including those with SEND, develop a strong and rich body of subject knowledge.

Pupils achieve exceptionally well in all subjects.

The school, including governors and trustees, ensures that staff have access to high-quality training and support. As a result, staff have very strong subject knowledge.

They are extremely well equipped to design learning activities that allow pupils to thrive and learn the curriculum.

Across the school, staff check with precision how well pupils are doing and address any misconceptions swiftly and effectively. They skilfully use assessment information to adapt the delivery of the curriculum and shape future learning.

The school has worked exceptionally hard to address any gaps in pupils' knowledge that occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results in national tests in 2023 for mathematics still reflected these gaps. However, since then, the turnaround has been extraordinary.

Current pupils are achieving very well.

The school has successfully put reading at the heart of everything it does. Staff make sure that they know exactly how well pupils can read.

Pupils read books that match their ability. Staff quickly identify those who fall behind and provide expert support to help them to catch up quickly. As a result, the vast majority of pupils are fluent and confident readers.

The school identifies the additional needs of pupils with SEND quickly and accurately. Staff give these pupils extremely well-designed support. They know exactly what to do to make appropriate adaptations to the curriculum so that these pupils can learn successfully alongside their peers.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They have remarkably high levels of respect for each other. They go above and beyond to support their classmates.

Pupils are very clear about what the school expects of them. They rarely have to be reminded how to behave. They do not disturb lessons.

Pupils' personal development is exceptional. Pupils, including those with SEND, enjoy an enormous range of high-quality activities to develop their interests and talents. The school consistently promotes the well-being of pupils.

Pupils can attend well-being club to discuss worries, relationships or friendship issues. Older pupils readily take on a range of leadership roles. These include school councillors, sports leaders and librarians.

Trustees have an effective oversight of the school's work. They provide appropraite support and challenge to the school. Trustees delegate much of their responsibilities to the local governing body, who hold the school to account to ensure that systems are working as intended.

The school ensures that staff are well supported to manage their workload and well-being. There is a culture of high expectation, trust and support in the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.