King James I Academy Bishop Auckland

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are "happy and safe" and benefit from "positive relationships" with staff. Leaders provide "astute support" for vulnerable pupils, creating an inclusive environment where barriers to learning are effectively removed. While most pupils achieve in line with national averages, the report notes that "there is more work to do" to ensure all pupils reach their full potential, particularly in core subjects.

Strengths

• Inclusion is rated at a "Strong standard," with leaders providing "highly effective interventions" and ensuring no pupil is left behind.
• Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
• Pupils "behave very well," benefiting from a "calm and orderly learning environment" with rare incidents of disruption.
• Staff demonstrate "secure subject knowledge" and make "highly effective adaptations" to lessons to support diverse needs.
• Pupils are "well prepared for their next steps," with most moving on to sustained education, employment, or training.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure teachers "check what pupils know and remember" before moving learning on to prevent knowledge gaps.
• Improvements to curriculum and teaching should lead to pupils "achieving at the highest level they can," particularly in English and mathematics.
• The professional learning programme should be "precisely matched to priority areas" to embed improvements across the school.

Safeguarding

The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," confirming that leaders have established an open culture where pupils are "made safer and feel safe."