South Nottinghamshire Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 March 2022

Pupils say that all teachers encourage them to do things the 'SNA Way'. One pupil accurately described this as being 'taught to be respectful, put ourselves out there, try new things and be kind to others'. Pupils belong to one of three houses. These are Aquitaine, Maine or Rollo. Pupils wear their ties with pride to show others which house they represent. During tutor time, younger pupils join in discussions with older pupils well. Pupils value the fact that they get to know other pupils in different year groups. Many pupils benefit from the wide range of leadership and volunteering opportunities at the school. Teachers train older students to become reading leaders. Reading leaders read twice a week with younger pupils. Both groups get a sense of achievement from this. There are positive relationships between staff and pupils. Staff have high expectations of pupils' conduct. Pupils understand these expectations and rise to them. Leaders have developed a school environment in which pupils feel safe and happy. Pupils know what bullying is. They say that staff are quick to deal with bullying when it happens. Pupils agree that the school is very inclusive and that teachers do not tolerate any form of bullying or discriminatory language.

What the school should improve

• Leaders have not ensured that teachers have sufficient curriculum time to teach some subjects in key stage 3 to the depth that pupils need. In some subjects, teachers rush through the planned curriculum. As a result, pupils do not develop the depth of knowledge that is set out in the curriculum plans. Leaders must ensure that teachers have sufficient time to teach to the aims of the curriculum so that pupils are able to gain the depth of knowledge in those subjects they do not continue into key stage 4.
• Leaders have recently introduced the use of recall activities to help pupils embed the most important knowledge in their long-term memory. Leaders have not ensured that all teachers know how to use this approach well enough. On occasions, teachers use these activities without having identified the purpose. As a result, some pupils do not benefit from these activities as well as they should. Leaders must ensure all teachers understand how to use any preferred approach to teaching the curriculum so that it is purposeful and has the desired impact.

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