East Leake Academy

Overview

East Leake Academy fosters an environment where staff are dedicated to achieving the best for pupils, with leaders communicating core values that aim for students to feel "empowered, respected and cared for." The school offers a broad and ambitious curriculum that supports pupils in building knowledge over time, resulting in high aspirations for all, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. While most pupils behave well and feel safe, the report notes inconsistencies in how respect is demonstrated outside the classroom and in teaching practices.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with leaders carefully considering the order of learning to help pupils achieve well.
• Personal development provision is of "high quality," preparing pupils for future challenges through lessons on careers, healthy living, and relationships.
• Staff use specialist knowledge to provide clear explanations, and the school has created a "clear vision of pupils’ behaviour focused on positive reinforcement."
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with pupils feeling safe and confident they have a "trusted adult" to approach.
• Sixth-form students have "high aspirations" and enjoy developing leadership skills through programmes like the ‘6 for 6’.

Areas to improve

• The attendance of vulnerable pupils remains lower than their peers; the school must address specific barriers so these pupils attend highly and achieve well.
• A small minority of pupils are not respectful of the female gender; the school should ensure a culture of mutual respect where all pupils are treated equally.
• Teaching practices are not always consistent; in some lessons, misconceptions are not identified early enough, meaning some pupils do not fully understand what they are learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.