Somerfords' Walter Powell CofE Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 April 2024

Somerfords' Walter Powell C of E Academy is a happy place, where pupils enjoy learning. Pupils talk positively about how the school values help them to think of others, overcome mistakes and to have the confidence to 'show who they really are inside.' Parents speak highly about the school's caring and nurturing ethos and the role it plays in the local community. Pupils meet the high expectations that the school has for their behaviour. They are polite, courteous and follow the school rules well. This starts in the Nursery where children listen carefully and play well with one another. Pupils feel safe. Staff take time to form respectful and positive relationships with pupils. Pupils trust adults to listen and help them when needed such as if fall outs occur. The school provides pupils with a range of experiences to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Pupils enjoy their residential visits and trips to museums. They say these experiences help them to learn new things. Pupils are keen to take on roles of leadership by becoming members of the worship council and pupil leadership team. They say these roles make them feel responsible and help them to make their school a better place.

What the school should improve

• The checks on pupils' knowledge and understanding across the curriculum are not fully effective. As a result, some pupils struggle to recall previous learning and do not build their knowledge well. The trust needs to ensure that assessment is used effectively so that pupils learn and remember the curriculum successfully in all subjects.

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