Discovery Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders and governors have established an ambitious culture and a positive, caring ethos throughout the school. Since the school opened in September 2016, leaders and governors have worked effectively to ensure that the quality of teaching and pupils' outcomes are good.

Pupils enjoy school and engage well in their learning. They show respectful and caring attitudes. Teachers provide activities that interest and challenge pupils.

This develops their learning well. The curriculum is broad and balanced and ensures that pupils' skills and understanding are developed well in a range of subjects. Pupils' progress is good; it is stronger in read...ing and mathematics than in writing.

At times, teachers' expectations for pupils' handwriting, spelling, punctuation and grammar are not high enough. Pupils are proud of their school. At times, this pride is not reflected in the presentation of their work.

Trustees, governors and senior leaders work effectively to ensure that the school continues to improve. Subject leadership is developing. Some leaders do not play a full part in promoting improvement in their subject.

Children in early years benefit from good teaching and a stimulating learning environment. They make good progress and are well prepared for the transfer to Year 1. Pupils' speaking skills are usually developed well.

Occasionally, teaching does not effectively promote pupils' understanding of new vocabulary. Safeguarding has a high priority in school. Leaders ensure that children are well protected.

Staff, pupils, parents and carers agree that the school keeps them safe. Parents speak highly of the school and praise the good level of communication with staff and leaders.

Information about this school

This is a smaller-than-average-sized primary school.

It opened in September 2016 with a small cohort of early years children. School numbers increase each year as a new cohort of children join school in early years. The school currently has pupils in Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Most pupils are White British. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils eligible for the pupil premium is average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above average.

The school was opened under Carillion Academies Trust. In January 2018 this transferred to Victorious Academies Trust. Academy trustees have overall responsibility for governance.

They delegate day-to-day responsibilities around leadership, standards, teaching, and pupils' behaviour and attendance to the local governing board. Following the recent departure of the chair of the local governing board, there is currently a temporary chair. A new permanent chair has been appointed for September 2019.

The school is led by an executive principal and associate principal. The associate principal is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school. The school operates a breakfast and after-school club for its pupils.