West St Leonards Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders have developed a culture of very high expectations and aspiration based around the 'Pride of West St Leonards' values that are shared consistently by pupils, staff and parents. Senior leaders have trained other leaders in the school well, empowering them to successfully lead improvements in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment. Teaching is typically outstanding across the school.

This enables pupils to make faster progress in their learning in a range of different subjects. The curriculum is inclusive, varied and interesting. Pupils have opportunities to try out new experiences and learn different skills in school and in the lo...cal area.

Pupils' personal development during their time at the school is a strength. They become mature and respectful citizens and behave exceptionally well in class. Both the local governing body and Hastings Academies Trust provide school leaders with highly effective support and challenge.

The school's procedures to keep pupils safe from harm are robust and effective. Children make an outstanding start to school life in the Reception classes. Provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is very strong.

These pupils make good progress from their often very low starting points. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school and what it is trying to achieve for their children. As one parent said, 'I am very happy and proud to say my child attends this school.'

The progress made by disadvantaged pupils, including those who are most able, is improving. Nonetheless, in some year groups they are not catching up with their peers quickly enough. Pupils do not achieve as well as others nationally in the Year 1 phonics screening check.

In recent years pupils have made much faster progress through key stage 2 in writing than they have in reading and mathematics. Attendance is stubbornly low. Leaders are making every possible effort to improve this, especially with families where rates of absence are particularly high.

Information about this school

The school opened as an academy on 1 November 2013. It is a member of the Hastings Academies Trust, which is sponsored by the University of Brighton and BT. The school is larger than the average primary school and has two classes in each year group.

The school includes a resourced provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities known as 'the facility'. The facility has space for 12 pupils and there are currently 10 pupils attending who have physical disabilities and/or moderate learning difficulties. These pupils are mostly taught in the facility each morning and attend mainstream classes each afternoon.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is greater than that found nationally. The vast majority of pupils are from white British backgrounds. Nine teachers have joined the school in the last two years.

The principal and other school leaders provide support to other schools in the Hastings Academies Trust. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with DfE guidance on what academies should publish.

The school meets the current government floor standards that set out the minimum expectations for primary schools. The school runs a breakfast club and after-school childcare which was included in the inspection. The school has achieved the Gold School Games Mark and has been accredited as a national training centre for a programme to promote high-quality writing.