Woodside Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Decisive leadership has significantly raised expectations for what pupils could and should be achieving. Leaders' vision for the school is shared by governors and staff.

They are strongly committed to providing an excellent all-round education for all pupils. Governors use their expertise well to support and challenge leaders so that the school continues to improve. The federation with Belmont School is supporting well the drive to improve Woodside still further.

A new primary curriculum is taught through interesting topics, as well as lessons in English and mathematics. The evidence so far suggests that, as a result, teaching is improvin...g. Pupils are making better progress.

The vocational and life skills courses for pupils in key stage 4 and the sixth form meet pupils' needs well. Teaching is good. Teachers plan interesting activities which help pupils to enjoy their learning and make good progress.

Good relationships and mutual respect promote good behaviour and positive attitudes. Pupils are polite and welcoming to visitors. Good careers guidance and strong links with the local college greatly extend the range of opportunities for pupils in key stage 4 and the sixth form.

Exciting enrichment activities help pupils to learn more about the wider world and develop an understanding of British values. The welfare provision strongly supports pupils' personal development, as well as their academic progress. Regular updating of safeguarding procedures helps to keep pupils safe in school and to teach them how to stay safe outside school.

Parents and carers feel that their children make good progress and enjoy school. Most pupils attend school regularly and fewer pupils are persistently absent. The challenge for pupils has improved but tends to be better in the secondary classes, particularly for the most able pupils.

The school's assessment policy is not always used consistently enough to make sure that pupils make even better progress. Sometimes, adults are almost too eager to help pupils and do not allow them enough time to respond for themselves.

Information about this school

Woodside is a special school for pupils who have EHC plans, mainly for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Some pupils have an EHC plan for moderate learning difficulties (MLD). The proportion of pupils who have ASD is increasing. In the primary phase, all pupils have ASD.

In the secondary phase, there is a mix of ASD and pupils with MLD. The school has gone through significant change and is now part of the Belmont Woodside Federation. This is led by the executive headteacher and the federation governing body, which has representatives from both schools.

A new head of school with specific responsibility for Woodside was appointed in September 2018. The school has had other changes in staff, including the appointment of a new head of mathematics. The governors are in the process of appointing a new deputy head of school.

The school was previously on two sites but the Belvedere site has now been closed, and the school is using only the Colyers Lane site. About two thirds of pupils are from White British backgrounds. Other pupils are from Black African, Caribbean and Asian backgrounds.

A small proportion of pupils speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils entitled to support through the pupil premium is well above average. The school also receives primary sports funding.

The school uses alternative provision through its links with Bexley College. This enables pupils in Years 10 to 13 to attend vocational courses on a part-time basis. Older pupils can also undertake work experience.