Paxton Academy Sports And Science

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 December 2022

At Paxton Academy, pupils are happy and enjoy learning. Leaders have worked successfully to transform all aspects of pupils' education. They make sure that pupils achieve well across the curriculum. Leaders and staff share high expectations. They are aspirational for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Leaders and staff have established clear routines and expectations for behaviour. The school environment is calm and orderly. In lessons, pupils are typically very focused on their learning. Pupils understand what bullying is. Adults sort out any issues or worries quickly. Pupils know and understand the school's values that spell out the word 'respect'. These values are modelled by staff and put into practice by pupils themselves through their considerate conduct throughout the school day. For example, the value of 'care' was seen at playtimes, both in the nurturing relationships between adults and pupils and the role that older pupils took in supporting younger ones. Pupils take part in many carefully planned enrichment opportunities. For example, pupils visit different places of worship and participate in community projects. Most recently, older pupils are proud to have been involved in a 'spoken word project'. They also created their own film about inspirational people in their community.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum has not been in place for very long. As a result, pupils' recall of some of the subject content that they have learned is not fully secure. Leaders need to continue their work to embed and strengthen the curriculum. They should maintain their focus on making sure that the curriculum enables pupils to acquire a secure and detailed understanding of the concepts and ideas identified in curriculum thinking.

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