Havant Academy

Overview

The inspection found that the school is failing to provide an acceptable standard of education and requires special measures. Pupils have significant gaps in knowledge, face high absence rates, and experience frequent disruptions to learning, resulting in poor attainment and insufficient preparation for future steps.

Strengths

• Pupils generally feel happy and safe, benefiting from enrichment activities such as business clubs and ‘game changer’ days.
• Teachers possess strong subject knowledge and present information clearly.
• The needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified accurately via ‘student profiles’.
• The personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum is coherently designed, providing vital age-appropriate education.
• Staff are well trained in safeguarding and maintain an open, transparent culture regarding safety concerns.

Areas to improve

• Governance must hold the school to account stringently to secure rapid and sustainable improvements in the quality of education.
• Staff must apply behaviour management and safeguarding policies consistently, ensuring precise record-keeping and effective responses to poor behaviour.
• The school must address gaps in pupil knowledge, improve reading support, and adapt teaching effectively for pupils with SEND.
• Actions are needed to reduce persistent absence and suspension rates, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, though the school must ensure staff consistently use policies and maintain precise records to address identified weaknesses.