Westlands Academy

Overview

Westlands Academy is a specialist setting for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs, where leaders have established a "safe haven" culture. The report highlights "strong standard" performance in attendance, behaviour, inclusion, and leadership, alongside "expected standard" outcomes for achievement, curriculum, and personal development.

Strengths

• Leaders have made a "significant impact on improving pupils' attendance" through tailored support and robust strategies.
• The school fosters "calm, respectful relationships," with bullying and discrimination being rare and incidents dealt with quickly.
• Inclusion is highly effective, with staff accurately identifying needs and using bespoke provisions like ‘the loft’ to support vulnerable pupils.
• Leaders demonstrate "considerable expertise" in creating a stable environment that helps pupils build trust and manage emotions.
• Pupils achieve well, securing qualifications that build "confidence, resilience and a platform for further learning."

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure teaching provides more opportunities for pupils to "systematically revisit prior learning" to secure long-term understanding.
• Leaders should strengthen their analysis of pupils’ participation in the personal development programme to ensure all pupils benefit fully.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.