The Kingsbrook School

Overview

The Kingsbrook School is a new academy where pupils are "rightly proud" and "well prepared to succeed academically and to become responsible citizens." The inspection highlights a "calm and orderly environment" with high expectations, noting that personal development is outstanding while other key areas are rated good.

Strengths

• Personal development is "impressive," with pupils demonstrating "strong empathy" and confidence to speak out in uncomfortable situations.
• The curriculum is "ambitious," particularly at key stage 3, with staff using effective methods to help pupils "recall key concepts and deepen their knowledge."
• Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is swift and accurate, including the specialist ARC provision for social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Pupils enjoy an "exceptional range of extra-curricular activities" and leadership opportunities that build character, such as British Sign Language classes introduced following pupil requests.
• Governance is "strong," with trustees providing "suitable support and challenge" and being "highly ambitious for the school."

Areas to improve

• Teachers sometimes fail to check carefully that pupils have understood important concepts before moving on, meaning some do not "build knowledge as securely as they could."
• Absence rates for some disadvantaged pupils remain "too high," preventing them from benefiting fully from the high-quality education provided.

Safeguarding

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