LS-TEN

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

This is a supportive, inclusive and improving school. The school prioritises re- engaging pupils in their learning when they join the school. This results in pupils who feel safe and well cared for. Pupils trust the adults that work with them. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and caring. The school has high expectations for pupils and wants pupils to be successful when they leave. Pupils rise to these expectations. The school has recently made changes to raise the ambition of its curriculum. Many of these developments are still very new. At present, teachers are not consistent in their delivery of the new curriculum. The new behaviour policy is effective in supporting pupils to manage their behaviour. Adults skilfully support pupils to get on with their learning. Pupils use strategies to successfully improve their behaviour. Parents and carers are positive about the work of the school. They reflect how well the school supports pupils to get back into education positively. Pupils enjoy a wide range of activities that the school offers beyond learning. Daily planned activity time means pupils make good use of the on-site skatepark to skate, scoot or bike. Visits to local museums and landmarks help pupils make sense of where they live and build their confidence.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the school has not clearly defined the key knowledge and skills pupils will learn over time. This lack of clarity means that lesson aims and learning activities are currently not well matched to the intentions of the curriculum. The school should continue to develop the curriculum so that it carefully maps out the key knowledge and skills that pupils need to know, and ensure that learning activities enable pupils to secure their learning.
• Teachers do not systematically check for gaps in pupils' prior knowledge and understanding. As a result, what pupils learn is sometimes misaligned to their ability. Also, the school's checks to make sure that pupils are knowing and remembering more are not embedded. The school should develop effective checks on learning to ensure that pupils have the right knowledge to access the planned curriculum and are remembering what has been previously taught.
• The school's policies and procedures to improve attendance are not having enough impact on some pupils. As a result, a small number of pupils have variable patterns of attendance and do not benefit consistently from the whole- school offer. The school should further develop its approach to improving attendance so that all pupils show improved attendance over time.

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