Walsgrave Church of England Academy

Overview

Walsgrave Church of England Academy is described as a “warm and welcoming school” with a “strong sense of community” and an “inclusive culture.” The report highlights “positive relationships” between staff and pupils, underpinned by leaders’ vision that “Together we thrive.” Overall effectiveness is judged as Good, with particular praise for the ambitious curriculum and high standards of behaviour.

Strengths

• Pupils “behave extremely well,” are “polite and well-mannered,” and benefit from “high levels of pastoral care” that ensure they feel safe.
• Leaders have constructed an “ambitious curriculum” that is “logically sequenced,” helping pupils “build on prior learning” and talk “confidently” about their knowledge.
• Teachers use subject knowledge “well,” particularly in mathematics, where consistent routines help pupils “make sense of key concepts” and enjoy their learning.
• Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “effective,” with appropriate systems to identify needs and “scaffold tasks suitably.”
• Governors are “extremely committed” and provide “effective support and challenge,” while trust leaders have an “accurate view” of the school’s strengths.

Areas to improve

• Staff must assess Reception children’s phonic progress more frequently to identify those “falling behind” and provide immediate targeted support.
• Leaders need to refine assessment in the wider curriculum to “accurately pinpoint gaps in knowledge” and use this information to plan subsequent learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with leaders ensuring appropriate checks are carried out and staff receiving regular training to keep pupils safe.