Outwood Junior Academy Brumby

Overview

Leaders have “successfully and comprehensively addressed the weaknesses of the predecessor school” to create a happy, family-focused academy. The report highlights “rapid improvements to the quality of education” driven by a “relentless yet supportive focus on raising standards.” Pupils are described as enjoying learning in a “calm and purposeful atmosphere,” with strong relationships contributing to their sense of safety and pride.

Strengths

• Staff demonstrate “the deepest commitment and care for pupils,” fostering a positive environment where bullying “rarely happens.”
• Teachers “skilfully break learning down into small steps” and provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• There is a “strong focus on making sure pupils are fluent readers,” with effective systems to quickly address gaps in reading knowledge.
• Leaders are “caring and visible,” managing staff workload carefully and maintaining a “strong team ethos.”
• Pupils actively contribute to school leadership through roles such as “reading leaders” and the “school parliament.”

Areas to improve

• In subjects such as science and religious education, pupils “do not revisit some learning often enough,” leading to gaps in long-term memory. Leaders should determine which knowledge requires more frequent revision.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff regularly trained to identify risks and pupils taught how to stay safe online and regarding issues such as knife crime.