Sirius Academy West

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 May 2022

Leaders are ambitious and want the best for pupils at Sirius Academy West. Leaders are keen to prepare pupils for life beyond school, regardless of their starting points from primary school. Pupils enjoy their lessons. Since the last inspection, leaders have raised their expectations for pupils' achievement by introducing a much more appropriate and challenging curriculum. The relationships between pupils and staff are positive. Leaders have ensured a strong culture of safeguarding and pupils feel safe. The pupils spoken to by inspectors said that bullying sometimes happens but is not tolerated. Inspectors agree that this is the case. Pupils are confident that if bullying happens, staff would do their best to sort it out. Pupils benefit from a range of extra-curricular activities, ranging from sport, to robotics, to the combined cadet force. Leaders are keen to ensure that as many pupils as possible participate in these activities to help strengthen pupils' well-being following the disruption caused by the pandemic. Leaders have high expectations of pupil behaviour in the school. The behaviour at the school is improving. There are, however, too many pupils who do not always match the behaviour expectations set by leaders.

What the school should improve

• The behaviour of some pupils does not match or align with the high expectations that leaders have. There are too many pupils that are internally excluded or receiving suspensions. As a result of this, they are missing out on their learning and are falling behind. Leaders should ensure that they continue to work on improving the expected standards of behaviour across the school, and the attitudes and expectations of a substantial number of pupils. Leaders should continue to take appropriate steps to reduce the number of suspensions and internal exclusions in the school.
• The programme to support the weakest readers in the school is in its infancy. Leaders have reviewed provision and now detailed plans are in place. However, leaders should accelerate the implementation of these plans so that weaker readers catch up quickly. Leaders should continue to make sure that reading permeates all aspects of school life and that pupils develop a love of reading. Leaders should ensure that the new plans ensure those staff delivering early reading support are well trained so that weakest readers fully access the curriculum.
• Some pupils in the school do not benefit from spiritual, moral, social and cultural learning as much as they should. Some pupils have not retained the knowledge and respect for different people's feelings, faiths and values. Leaders should ensure that this area of personal development is strengthened, so that pupils are able to make appropriate choices as they encounter more complex and changing circumstances in modern society.
• Leaders should further develop their work in capturing the views of stakeholders, through taking effective steps to ensure a more extensive and consistent approach to engagement with the wider community.This includes building positive relationships with parents who are not happy with the school.

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