Clayton Hall Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 February 2024

Thanks to improvements made at Clayton Hall, pupils benefit from a curriculum that is more consistent in its ambition and delivery. This means pupils generally learn well and, as a result, their outcomes have improved overall. Pupils, especially younger pupils, benefit from the wider opportunities that the school offers. The sports clubs are especially appreciated, as are the variety of trips, which include a visit to London and a food technology trip. Pupils enjoy the effective personal development offer that enables them to discuss matters of importance to them in a mature way. Pupils are also well informed about future destinations and employment opportunities by well-timed and broad careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG). Pupils speak highly of the work they undertake on different cultures and religions, which prepares them well for life in modern Britain. Behaviour is generally calm and well ordered, as the school has worked to ensure expectations are met. Pupils report that they are happy and feel safe at the school. In general, they know that if they have concerns, they can report them to leaders and they will be acted on.

What the school should improve

• The school has not ensured that all teachers consistently check pupils know what they need to before moving on to new learning. This makes it harder for pupils to build on their learning successfully. The school should ensure teachers check effectively what pupils know and remember to identify any gaps in knowledge and skills that need to be remedied.
• The school has not yet precisely set out or embedded the detail and sequence of knowledge that pupils need to learn in the MFL curriculum. This means that teachers are sometimes not clear on the key knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember and when it is taught. The school should ensure that the curriculum for MFL precisely sets out the knowledge that pupils need to learn, and when they need to learn it.
• Occasionally, inappropriate behaviour goes unchallenged at social times. As a result, some older pupils do not meet the school's high expectations of behaviour. The school should ensure that all staff are clear about their role in securing good behaviour from pupils at unstructured times.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)