St Weonard's Academy

Overview

St Weonard’s Academy is described as a “welcoming and inclusive school” with a “kind, caring ethos” that helps pupils feel safe. However, the report notes that “some aspects of the school’s work are not checked well enough,” specifically regarding curriculum and attendance, which prevents pupils from getting the “best possible deal.” Consequently, the next inspection will be a graded one, as evidence suggests the current outstanding judgement might not be maintained.

Strengths

• The curriculum is designed with “small, logical steps” allowing pupils to build understanding, particularly in history and mathematics.
• Staff provide “highly personalised support” enabling pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to access learning.
• Pupils are “friendly and polite,” enjoying mixed-age classes and extracurricular activities like residential trips.
• The school quickly and accurately identifies the academic and pastoral needs of pupils, including those with previously disrupted schooling.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with pupils knowing they can talk to any adult if they have a worry.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must implement systems to check curriculum implementation, including in the mainstream autism base, to ensure it is delivered as intended.
• All staff require proper training to deliver the phonics programme with fidelity, ensuring sounds are taught in a logical order.
• Reading books must precisely match pupils’ phonics knowledge to prevent slowed learning, and older pupils need access to a wider range of contemporary texts.
• Leaders need to provide strategic oversight and use attendance data to identify what works and drive further improvement.

Safeguarding

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