Boston Spa Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Staff nurture pupils' talents, ambitions and thirst for knowledge. Leaders place the importance of positive relationships at the centre of school life.

Pupils enjoy a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. There is a shared sense of purpose and values at the school. Staff and pupils feel part of the school community.

Pupils readily take up the wide variety of leadership roles on offer, such as 'awareness and celebration of equality' ambassadors. These ambassadors lead the celebration of equality and diversity across the school. Pupils feel safe.

Bullying is very rare, and if it does happen, staff intervene quickly to address this.

Staff know pupils exc...eptionally well. They want all pupils to be ready for life beyond school and carefully craft the curriculum to ensure this is the case.

Pupils work incredibly hard in lessons. They rise to the high expectations set by teachers and are eager to develop their knowledge and skills. Leaders are passionate about pupils' wider personal development.

Pupils enjoy a rich and varied enrichment programme. This includes over 80 clubs each week. Many pupils take part in the 'Big 3' of volleyball, rowing and karate.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders cultivate the aspirations of pupils through a rich and demanding curriculum. All pupils have the same access to a broad curriculum, including performing arts and Mandarin Chinese. The number of pupils studying the English Baccalaureate has increased and is particularly high in Year 10.

This means that pupils develop a secure understanding across a range of academic subjects. They achieve exceptionally well.

Teachers have very strong subject knowledge.

They have used this to think carefully about the nature of their subject and how to develop subject-specific skills in their pupils. For example, pupils' learning in history is enriched by using authentic historical texts. Pupils build a rich and detailed knowledge over time, which fuels their curiosity.

Teachers skilfully break learning down into small steps. They provide pupils with frequent opportunities to revisit previously taught content. As a result, pupils deepen their knowledge and make connections between concepts.

Teachers use assessment very well to identify and address any gaps in pupils' learning. Teachers meticulously check pupils' learning during independent 'purple zone' tasks and give personalised feedback. Pupils use this to add to and improve their work.

Consequently, pupils' work is of an extremely high quality.

Leaders provide precise guidance for teachers to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers use this information to plan carefully to meet the needs of each pupil.

They check pupils' understanding and give personalised support and guidance. As a result, pupils with SEND flourish in their learning.

Reading is a priority throughout the school.

In 'forensic reading' lessons, pupils analyse texts and debate literary features. This continues all the way into the sixth form where students benefit from reading academic journals. Highly trained staff provide effective support to help pupils become confident readers.

Pupils have mature and positive attitudes to their learning. They show respect to each other, adults and visitors. Leaders support pupils to manage their own behaviour well.

There is a common desire and determination among staff and pupils to do well. Pupils are keen to take part in the wide range of extra-curricular activities. Sixth-form students contribute to the wider life of the school.

They act as mentors for younger pupils, helping them in lessons and listening to them read.

Staff offer an extensive personal development programme. 'Be Smart' days throughout the year complement tutor time and personal development lessons.

They help pupils to learn about healthy relationships, how to stay safe online and about the importance of respect and tolerance. Pupils enthusiastically put this learning into practice, playing an active part in the school community. For example, sixth-form students lead assemblies on equality.

Leaders are agile in adjusting the personal development programme so that it meets the needs of pupils in an ever-changing world. Comprehensive careers information, advice and guidance thoroughly prepares pupils for future education and employment. For instance, pupils enjoy plentiful opportunities to meet with employers and higher education institutions.

Staff feel valued and proud to be members of the school. Leaders are highly supportive. They proactively seek to manage workload and support the well-being of staff.

Staff appreciate the support the trust offers, such as the high-quality professional development. Governors and trustees are knowledgeable. They hold leaders to account and set and check the strategic direction of the school.

Leaders are relentless in their desire to provide the very best education for pupils and to serve the local community. Communication with parents and carers has strengthened over the last 12 months, and leaders listen and respond to the views of parents. Leaders demonstrate a strong ambition to further enhance engagement with parents and the local community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There is a strong culture of safeguarding at the school. Pupils learn about how to keep themselves safe, including online.

Leaders are tenacious in their efforts to keep pupils safe. They work effectively with external agencies to secure the help that pupils need. Staff receive regular safeguarding training and updates.

They know how to report concerns, and leaders record these accurately. Leaders check that staff understand the safeguarding information and guidance they receive. The necessary checks are made on new members of staff before they start to work at the school.