Whitehill Community Academy celebrates good Ofsted report

Previously the Whitehill Community Trust School, the Academy is highly praised for pupils’ exemplary behaviour, the inclusive nature of the school and the support for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The relationship between adults and children at the school is positive and nurturing, says the report, and teachers put resources inside and outdoors that catch children’s interest andimagination.Reading has a high priority, inspectors found, and leaders have been very successful in getting parents to hear their children read every day.

All subjects have been carefully planned, says the report, and leaders have identified the most important content to be covered in each subject.

Teaching in mathematics, science and history is praised, while inspectors found that teachers feel highly valued and well supported with their workload. Parents told inspectors what a brilliant job the headteacher is doing.

Pupils said that the most important thing that they would not change about their school is the headteacher.

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, the report says, but the school is criticised for teachers holding pupils back by spending longer than they need revising earlier learning in phonics, which prevents those pupils who struggle to learn to read from having maximum time to practise the new sounds they are taught in Year 1.

The report also says teachers do not hear pupils read their reading books very often, which is slowing the progress of struggling readers who need frequent practice reading books that are well matched to their phonics knowledge.

Principal Jimmy Sales said: “After waiting in anticipation for our Ofsted inspection with our last one being nearly 12 years ago, we were very pleased with our ‘Good’ judgement in all areas under Ofsted’s new framework, with the report highlighting the many strengths of the school.
“The inspectors recognised the importance that we place on developing the whole child and ensuring that they receive a broad and ambitious curriculum.

“I really do feel that this is an accurate representation of Whitehill, showing the collective drive to achieve the highest possible standard of provision for our children.
“This fantastic report is down to the hard work of all the children, staff, governors and parents. We are all very proud to be part of the Whitehill community and can look forward to the next chapter in our exciting journey.”