Weston Favell Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are positive about the education they receive at Weston Favell Academy. They told inspectors that they value the academic and pastoral support they receive from staff.

Older pupils recognise that the school has improved in recent years. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from a well-planned and ambitious curriculum. Results in external examinations have improved, especially in mathematics.

There are very high expectations for pupils' behaviour at the school. Pupils respond well. The school is calm and orderly.

There are few disruptions to learning. Pupils are tolerant and get along with each o...ther. During breaks and lunchtimes, they socialise happily in the pleasant and spacious school grounds.

Any incidents of bullying or poor behaviour are dealt with quickly by staff.

The curriculum for personal, social and health education supports pupils' wider development well. Pupils are knowledgeable about British values, equality and diversity.

They benefit from lessons on how to keep themselves safe and healthy, including maintaining good mental health. Pupils receive excellent advice about their future education choices and careers. Students in the sixth form are very well-supported to achieve their aspirations.

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

The school has worked hard to develop the curriculum in recent years. All pupils learn a broad range of subjects in key stage 3 that meet the requirements of the national curriculum. At key stage 4, pupils choose from a wide range of academic and vocational courses.

All have the opportunity to study the subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate. In the sixth form, the range of courses offered has been carefully chosen to meet the interests and aspirations of students.

Staff work collaboratively to make sure that the knowledge pupils should learn is clearly identified in the curriculum.

It is sequenced well so that pupils build on what they already know as they progress through the school. There are many opportunities for pupils to revisit topics they have learned previously. The curriculum supports pupils to learn subject-specific vocabulary.

Specialist staff have good subject knowledge. They use this to explain concepts clearly and design tasks that support pupils to gain knowledge and practise skills. In the majority of lessons, staff question pupils skilfully to identify misconceptions or challenge pupils to think more deeply.

They adapt lesson activities well to help pupils learn and remember important knowledge. However, this is not the case in all lessons. Sometimes, staff do not check pupils' understanding well enough or make sure that this is secure before moving on.

Pupils work hard in lessons. They produce work of good quality. Staff provide regular and useful feedback that helps pupils to improve.

Pupils with SEND, and those who speak English as an additional language, access the same curriculum as their peers. The school identifies when pupils need extra support effectively. Staff make sure that they provide resources, or adapt activities, to meet all pupils' needs.

Weaker readers are well supported to develop fluency so that they can access the curriculum in full. All pupils benefit from regular opportunities to read, and enjoy access to a well-stocked library.

In the sixth form, the curriculum is challenging.

Students benefit from being in small classes. Staff provide personalised support that helps students rise to the challenges they are set. The sixth-form area is well resourced so that students can use their independent study time effectively.

Pupils demonstrate consistently positive attitudes around school. They wear their uniform with pride and are punctual to lessons. The school has worked effectively to improve attendance and most pupils attend school well.

The school provides some opportunities for pupils to pursue their wider talents and interests. These include sports, drama and debating. The school council meets regularly and has been active in making changes to improve the school.

However, these opportunities are limited. Pupils would appreciate more opportunities to take on responsibilities or take part in memorable experiences.

The school has been well supported by the multi-academy trust to improve all areas of the school's provision in recent years.

This has been appreciated by the vast majority of pupils and their parents. There have been significant changes to staffing during this time. Most staff say they are proud to work at the school.

They value the support the school gives them to develop their expertise and manage their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some lessons, staff do not routinely question pupils to check their understanding.

They do not identify when pupils have misconceptions or where there are opportunities to challenge pupils to deepen their thinking. As a result, staff do not always effectively adapt lessons to support pupils to learn new knowledge securely. The school needs to ensure that routines for effective checking of pupils' understanding and adapting learning activities are embedded across the curriculum.

• There are limited activities for pupils to take part in beyond the academic curriculum. As a result, pupils miss out on opportunities to pursue their wider talents and interests or enjoy memorable experiences. The school needs to ensure that it supports pupils' broader personal development by providing more of these opportunities for pupils.