Spring Common Academy

Overview

Spring Common Academy is a special school where pupils enjoy "warm, caring relationships" and generally calm behaviour, yet their educational experiences remain inconsistent. The report highlights that while staff are supportive and attendance is improving, the school lacks a "consistently ambitious and well-delivered curriculum," leading to variable learning outcomes across different subjects and phases.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from positive relationships with staff and peers, with "smiles remain[ing] a common feature" of daily life.
• Behaviour is usually calm, with routines effectively supported by staff who regularly celebrate positive effort through initiatives like assembly ‘shout-outs’.
• The school effectively advocates for pupils’ medical and health needs, working closely with professionals to ensure comfort and attendance.
• Trust and school leaders are actively tackling challenges, introducing improved policies that are boosting attendance and a sense of safety.
• Pupils enjoy broadening experiences, such as careers events and volunteering, which help build confidence for the future.

Areas to improve

• The curriculum must be refined to clearly define and sequence knowledge, ensuring learning is "ambitious, well sequenced and effectively supported" for all pupils.
• Phonics teaching requires greater structure and consistency, with resources properly matched to pupils’ assessed stages to secure decoding skills.
• Communication strategies need consistent implementation across all staff to support pupils’ independence and personal development.
• Curriculum leadership requires clearer subject knowledge and better professional development to guide effective teaching.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."