Lee Mount Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a school that requires improvement There has been a significant decline in the quality of education since the last inspection. Although it is improving, the quality of teaching is not consistently good across year groups. Over the last three years, published outcomes for pupils at the end of each key stage have been poor.

However, current pupils' progress is improving, but remains variable. Leaders have designed the curriculum to give pupils a wide range of first-hand experiences. However, these are not always well planned to extend pupils' learning appropriately.

The contribution teaching assistants make to pupils' learning is variable. Too often, dur...ing whole-class teaching, their impact is minimal. Leaders have not identified disadvantaged pupils' barriers to learning precisely enough.

Consequently, their outcomes lag someway behind those of other pupils nationally. Teachers do not always have the subject knowledge they need. This means that they do not address pupils' misconceptions consistently.

Additionally, teachers do not use assessments consistently to match work to pupils' needs. This hampers pupils' progress. Senior and middle leaders do not consistently take responsibility for improving teaching in the subject areas they lead.

In the early years, the quality of teaching is not consistently effective. Activities designed for children to initiate their own learning are not challenging enough to extend their skills well. Leaders have been successful in raising pupils' attendance rates.

However, too many pupils are still regularly absent from school. Most pupils are keen to learn. However, when teaching is not effective, their concentration drifts and low-level disruption occurs.

The school has the following strengths Leaders have ensured that pupils' personal development is a strength of the school. As a result, pupils are empathetic and mature. Pupils appreciate the wide range of opportunities to participate in sports clubs and competitions.

Governors are effective in holding leaders to account. Leaders have established an ethos of care. Despite the school's current position, staff reflect leaders' positivity and a determination to improve.

information about their child's achievements outside of the school. Parents also

participate in learning events, such as 'stay and play'. The early years welfare requirements are met.

School details Unique reference number 107483 Local authority Calderdale Inspection number 10086828 This inspection was carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. The inspection was also deemed a section 5 inspection under the same Act. Type of school Primary School category Community Age range of pupils 3 to 11 Gender of pupils Mixed Number of pupils on the school roll 343 Appropriate authority The governing body Chair Mark Woolley Headteacher Susan Barraclough (Acting headteacher) Telephone number 01422 352856 Website www.

leemount.calderdale.sch.

uk/ Email address [email protected].

uk Date of previous inspection 1 November 2007