Pool Hayes Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 26 April 2022

This is a calm and caring school. Pupils, including those in the sixth form, are happy here. They enjoy coming to school and attend regularly. Pupils are safe. Teachers take time to get to know each pupil well. Pupils build strong, positive relationships with their teachers. They know whom to turn to if they have a concern. Pupils are confident that when bullying happens, staff will deal with it swiftly and effectively. Pupils, parents and staff told inspectors that behaviour at the school is much improved. Inspectors agree. In lessons, pupils behave well and focus on their learning. Teachers are quick to challenge pupils when they fail to meet the high expectations leaders have of them. The school's values are clear to see. Pupils are resilient to setbacks and strive to achieve their best. Leaders are developing an ambitious curriculum that puts pupils' personal development at its heart. Through the school's '18 by 18' programme, pupils have the opportunity to read a wide range of books, such as 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' and 'Animal Farm'. Chosen by pupils, these texts help to develop understanding of important societal issues, such as diversity, prejudice and individual liberties. Pupils value this.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not considered carefully enough the precise knowledge that pupils need to learn in a small number of subjects. As a result, pupils are not always taught the important things they need to be successful. This means that pupils do not progress as well as they could. Leaders should ensure that curriculum planning is equally well developed across all subjects to enable all pupils to make strong progress.
• Teachers do not use assessment well enough to check pupils have understood what has been taught in a small number of subjects. This means that, on occasion, teachers do not identify gaps in pupils' knowledge before moving on. Sometimes, even when gaps are identified, teachers do not address them quickly enough. This holds pupils back. Leaders need to ensure that all teachers use assessment consistently well to check pupils' understanding and use this information to adapt their teaching and curriculum planning where necessary.

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