The Newark Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school From a very low starting point, leaders and governors have established a school where only the highest expectations of staff and pupils will do. Because of this, teaching, behaviour and achievement have improved considerably. Leadership and management are outstanding.

Leadership at all levels is now very strong. Leaders are committed to improving the school further. The challenge and support from the school's sponsor, Nova Education Trust, is excellent.

Staff look after pupils well. School staff support pupils to strive to reach their academic and personal potential. Pupils behave well.

They enjoy coming to school. Their attendan...ce is good. A minority of pupils lack the confidence they need to take part fully in discussions.

Since the school opened, the quality of teaching has improved greatly. Teaching is now good in most subjects. In history and modern foreign languages, the quality of teaching and pupils' progress has varied over time.

Most teachers have excellent subject knowledge. They use their skills well to support pupils' learning. Overall, pupils' attainment is similar to the national average.

Pupils make strong progress in English and mathematics. They make good progress in all science subjects. Disadvantaged pupils make good progress.

Their achievements are approaching those of other pupils nationally. The most able pupils make strong progress. In the past, low-ability pupils, and some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made less progress than their peers.

Improved leadership and teaching have started to strengthen the progress of both groups of pupils. Pupils study a broad, balanced and well-planned curriculum. They learn the value of tolerance and respect.

Pupils are well prepared to be good citizens of modern Britain. The school's small sixth form meets students' academic needs well. Staff encourage sixth-form students to aim high.

Students, however, have a limited range of extra-curricular opportunities. The school's careers programme meets government requirements. Some parts of the programme, however, are less effective than others.

Not all pupils go on work experience placements.

Information about this school

The school opened in October 2016. The school's sixth form began accepting new students in September 2018.

The school is smaller than the average-sized secondary school. The proportion of pupils with SEND is below average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below average.

The proportion of pupils from White British backgrounds is above the national average. Nova Education Trust sponsor the school. The trust provides a broad range of support.

The trustees delegate a range of functions to the local governing body. Local governors make checks on the day-to-day running of the school, especially teaching, learning and assessment, and pupils' progress. The executive principal helps manage the relationship between trustees and local governors.

The school uses Hill Holt Wood, Acorn Free School and Nisai Learning for external alternative provision. The school has an off-site unit, MAPLE, which caters for up to 20 key stage 4 pupils. This facility is shared with Magnus Church of England Academy.

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