Kingsmead Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 December 2024

After a period of leadership turbulence, the school now has a clear vision of how it will provide a broad and ambitious education for pupils. Leaders have begun to make improvements, but some of these changes are recent and are not fully embedded. Currently, pupils do not achieve as well as they should in all areas of the curriculum. The school is focused on providing pupils with the support they need to reach their potential and further raise examination outcomes. The school has significantly raised expectations for pupils' behaviour. There are clear rewards and consequences that are used fairly to reinforce what is acceptable. While suspensions have been high, they are falling dramatically as pupils are better supported to manage their behaviour. Pupils appreciate that their lessons now take place without disruption. They have positive relationships with adults and feel happy and safe. Pupils are keen to take on additional responsibilities. They work alongside staff to run 'The Old Railway Farm' at the school. Pupils enjoy attending clubs and visits. They take part in sport, drama and music performances to showcase their talents. Older pupils act as role models through the subject ambassador scheme and by reading with younger pupils. The student council shares pupils' views with leaders so that they can work together to improve the school.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects the school has not considered with sufficient precision what pupils will learn and in what order. This leads to inconsistencies in how well the curriculum is delivered. The school should ensure that the curriculum is clearly defined in all subjects so that it is ambitious for all learners.
• Assessment within the classroom does not help adults accurately identify pupils' starting points or gaps in their knowledge and understanding. This hampers teachers in designing learning activities that take pupils' starting points into account. The school should make sure that routine checks for understanding inform adaptations to the curriculum to help pupils achieve more highly.
• The school currently does not have sufficient systems in place to accurately monitor and review the quality of education it provides. This means that this school is unclear of what is working well and where further improvements may be needed. The school should ensure that leaders at all levels, including governance, can accurately evaluate the quality of education provided so that appropriate support and challenge can be given to improve.

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