East Whitby Primary Academy

Overview

East Whitby Primary Academy is described as an “inclusive and caring school” where pupils feel “safe, well cared for and respected.” The inspection highlights “deeply respectful and positive relationships” between staff and pupils, alongside a curriculum that successfully builds knowledge in core subjects like English and mathematics.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from “consistently high expectations” and a “wealth of opportunities” that broaden their horizons, including trips and charity work.
• Reading is prioritised from the start, with staff who are “experts at delivering phonics” and a well-stocked library fostering a love of literature.
• The early years provision offers a “well-resourced and engaging learning environment” that builds children’s confidence and independence.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “supported well” through careful curriculum adjustments and knowledgeable staff.
• Leaders are “tenacious” in promoting attendance, using targeted action and external support to address absences.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum in some subjects lacks clear definitions of key knowledge and vocabulary, leading to “gaps in their understanding” and imprecise use of subject-specific language.
• Infrequent teaching of certain subjects hinders pupils’ ability to recall previous learning, as there is insufficient opportunity to “revisit their learning.”
• Pupils’ knowledge of British values is “underdeveloped,” meaning they do not fully understand the importance of these values in modern society.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”