Chilwell Croft Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders, with the effective support of the board of trustees, are increasingly successful in establishing a culture of high expectations for pupils and staff. As a result, standards are improving and pupils are well prepared for secondary education by the end of Year 6. The quality of teaching is improving, in spite of a recent large turnover of staff, because of the well-targeted support provided by the multi-academy trust.

Consequently, all pupils, including those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities, pupils who speak English as an additional language and disadvantaged pupils, are making good progress. Leaders have design...ed a curriculum that is well adapted to the needs of pupils. The subjects and activities the school offers provide pupils with a well-rounded education.

The vast majority of pupils enjoy coming to school because of the safe environment and the activities it provides. They behave well around the school and in lessons. The headteacher, deputy headteacher and assistant headteacher are all new to the school.

They are effective as a team, but are in the process of establishing their leadership and are supported in this transition period by the executive headteacher and the multi-academy trust. Most middle leaders are also new to their roles. They are hard-working and enthusiastic, and are contributing effectively to the development of the curriculum.

However, they need to develop further as a team to have a sustained impact on standards. The early years provision is the area of the school most affected by the recent turnover of staff. The Reception classes are currently taught by supply teachers and there is no substantive early years leader.

Due to senior leaders' actions, children are well looked after and the quality of teaching is still adequate. However, standards have declined since the previous inspection.

Information about this school

Chilwell Croft is larger than the average-sized primary school.

Chilwell Croft became an academy sponsored by Aston Manor Academy in September 2012. The trust board encompasses Aston Manor Academy and Chilwell Croft Academy as part of Equitas Academies Trust. The trust board took over the governance of both academies in January 2014.

An executive headteacher oversees the work of both academies. The school's senior leadership team includes a headteacher, deputy headteacher and an assistant headteacher, who took up their respective posts in September, November and December 2018. The early years comprises two Reception classes for children who attend full time.

The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds is well above average. The pupils come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. More than half of the pupils speak English as an additional language, which is well above average.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium is well above the national average. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is similar to the national average. A breakfast club runs every day and is managed by the school.