Selwood Academy

Overview

Selwood Academy is described as a “tolerant place” where pupils are “friendly and polite” and enjoy learning across a broad curriculum. The report highlights that leaders have raised expectations and that the school has improved since the previous inspection, with effective teaching methods helping pupils recall knowledge confidently.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from a “broad curriculum” with clear essential knowledge, supported by teaching that helps them “articulate what they have learned.”
• Leaders prioritise reading, delivering a “structured phonics programme” that provides “useful steps” for early readers.
• The personal development curriculum is “well-structured,” equipping pupils with knowledge about society, health, and careers, including compliance with the Baker Clause.
• Staff are “vigilant around matters of safeguarding” and work closely with families facing difficulties to find appropriate support.
• Newcomers, including pupils from Ukraine, are “welcomed and quickly assimilate” into the school community.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum is “not yet sufficiently adapted in some areas to meet the needs of pupils with SEND,” meaning these pupils “do not learn as well as they could.”
• Leaders need to analyse behaviour data more precisely to identify patterns and support pupils with particular needs who are “over-represented in behaviour logs.”
• Leaders and trustees are developing “greater communication with parents” to address concerns from a minority who could not see the impact of recent improvements.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained, recruitment carefully monitored, and pupils confidently recalling their learning about online safety.