Ofsted inspectors visited this Washington school and identified these two key areas in need of attention
Pastoral care was identified as a strength of the school
A Washington school has been told by Ofsted inspectors that two key areas are in need of attention following its latest inspection.
Washington Academy has been told by the education watchdog that pupils’ achievement, and behaviour and attendance are in need of attention.
The remaining areas of curriculum and teaching, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing were all deemed by Ofsted to be at the expected standard.
No one-word overall judgement is now given to schools with, instead, a traffic light report card given ranging from blue (exceptional), dark green (strong standard), light green (expected standard), amber (needs attention) to red which indicates urgent improvement is needed.
Whilst lead inspector Hannah Millett was critical of the school’s attainment record, she did highlight a number of measures in place to help drive up pupils’ achievement, including in the key areas of mathematics and literacy.
She said: “Pupils’ achievement in national tests and examinations has been low over time and in the past, this has adversely affected pupils’ next steps after Year 11.
“Since the previous school inspection, the provision for pupils has continued to improve. A comprehensive reading programme helps pupils learn to read with fluency and confidence, including pupils with an education, health and care plan who attend the additionally resourced provision, ‘Inspire’.
“Positive changes to the teaching of mathematics are also helping pupils build firm foundations in numeracy. Across academic subjects, many pupils now write at length and articulate their knowledge well, particularly when recalling recently learned material. As a result of these improvements, the number of pupils not in education, employment or training after leaving school has reduced significantly. However, although some outcomes in national tests and examinations have started to improve, leaders still need to do more to bring these outcomes in line with national benchmarks.”
On the key issue of attendance, Ms Millet added: “Leaders have a detailed and accurate understanding of barriers to positive attendance in the school. They work with families and external agencies to break down these barriers and raise attendance. This, and other work, is showing impact. Rates of persistent absence are coming down, but recent improvements need more time to fully embed.”
Whilst behaviour was identified as needing attention, Ofsted inspectors praised the caring ethos at the school, the building of positive relationships, and a clear behaviour system which together are “reducing the rates of suspension which have been historically high”.
Inspectors highlighted the school’s “well-constructed curriculum ensures core knowledge and skills build logically throughout the school”.
Inspectors also praised the school’s teaching staff.
They said: “Staff know the pupils that need extra help in lessons, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers employ general strategies that support these pupils to learn. For example, they often break learning and tasks into smaller, manageable steps.”
“High-quality pastoral care” was identified as a strength of the school, with a “wide range of thoughtful interventions help pupils thrive in the school”.
The school’s careers provision was also praised with “targeted careers education beginning in Year 7 which intensifies by Year 11”.
Inspectors also commended the schools provision for children with SEND.
They said: “Leaders identify pupils’ needs quickly and accurately, including the needs of disadvantaged pupils, pupils with SEND and those known to children’s social care.
“Leaders set high expectations for all pupils and generally match support well to their needs.”
Washington Academy is part of Consilium Academies Trust. We contacted the trust for a comment, but as yet, we have not received a response.