Broadfield Academy

Overview

Pupils at Broadfield Academy enjoy school and conduct themselves well in a calm environment where they work hard to learn. Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum, and staff provide effective support for reading and pupils with special educational needs. The school has moved from a previous rating of ‘Requires improvement’ to ‘Good’, with leaders working to address remaining issues in leadership clarity and parent communication.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “ambitious and well-organised,” with teachers using “well-chosen learning activities” and quickly supporting pupils who misunderstand concepts.
• Reading is taught well, with pupils developing a “love of and proficiency in reading” from the early years, aided by books matched to their abilities.
• Pupils behave very well, listen to others, and take on responsibilities such as being a ‘Thriver’ with “sincerity.”
• Staff provide “effective support” for pupils finding it difficult to manage emotions, helping them behave well.
• The additional specialist provision is described by some parents as “transformational,” helping pupils develop confidence and strategies to learn.

Areas to improve

• Leaders need to clarify subject leaders’ responsibilities to ensure they have “precise and accurate information” about how well pupils are faring in subjects.
• Leaders must review how they work with parents so that all have confidence in how concerns are addressed, as some feel they are “not listened to.”

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to identify risks and respond quickly, while leaders manage records and work with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils.