Walbottle Academy

Overview

Walbottle Academy has undergone a ‘monumental’ transformation under new trust leadership, resulting in a ‘Good’ overall effectiveness rating. The school is described as an ‘inclusive community’ where pupils feel safe, respected, and proud of their achievements. Leaders have set high expectations that pupils are ‘rising to this challenge’, creating a positive culture where success is recognised and behaviour is orderly.

Strengths

• Leaders have introduced a ‘new, ambitious curriculum’ with careful subject links, such as connecting mathematics to science and music to history.
• Staff are ‘well trained’ to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who access the same curriculum alongside peers.
• Behaviour in lessons is ‘calm and focused’, with pupils engaged in learning and celebrating each other’s contributions.
• Safeguarding arrangements are ‘effective’, with staff being ‘highly attentive to pupils’ well-being’ and pupils feeling confident to report concerns.
• Sixth-form students value the ‘clear sense of progress’ provided by assessment systems and strong attendance rates.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure the behaviour system improves the behaviour of all pupils, as suspensions remain high despite a declining trend.
• Systems to improve attendance must continue to reduce persistent absence, particularly for some pupils with SEND who do not attend regularly enough.
• Leaders should ensure parents have better avenues to communicate with the school, as some find it difficult to contact staff to discuss concerns.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, noting that leaders track vulnerable pupils closely and ensure families receive the right support at the right time.