Springwell Leeds Academy

Overview

Springwell Leeds Academy has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school provides a “nurturing environment” where “high-quality positive relationships” help pupils engage well in a “positive and calm culture.” Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of individual pupil needs, ensuring high expectations for achievement are met.

Strengths

• Staff provide “very high-quality pastoral support” through “thoughtful and effective interventions,” helping pupils develop social skills and manage emotions.
• Teaching reading is “central to the curriculum,” with staff using expertise in phonics and “targeted support” to effectively develop fluency and comprehension.
• The school offers a “great range of opportunities” for personal development, including experiential learning trips and arts, preparing pupils well for their “next steps.”
• Governors provide “effective challenge and support,” ensuring the school continues to improve with a “clear and precise understanding” of priorities.
• Staff are praised for their well-being support, with leaders driving “pupil-focused, sustainable and consistent” improvements across all sites.

Areas to improve

• The school must develop approaches to support pupils who “do not attend regularly enough,” as some continue to miss valuable learning.
• In a few curriculum subjects, assessment is not as strong as it could be; the school should ensure it is used effectively to close “gaps in their knowledge.”

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”