Springwell Community College

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 5 November 2024

Springwell Community College has been through a transformative change in recent years. This is reflected in the views of pupils and many parents and carers. Pupils know and demonstrate the school's values of 'ambition, commitment and kindness'. They value the rewards they receive, including the 'golden tickets' for demonstrating the school values. The school has high expectations of all pupils' academic achievement. With a strengthened curriculum, pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are now learning more successfully than they did in the past. The school has worked hard and developed routines to promote a positive learning environment for all pupils. There is a consistent approach across the school to how behaviour is managed and there are high expectations for behaviour. Most pupils understand and meet these expectations. The school is calm and orderly. Pupils typically behave sensibly in lessons and at unstructured times. They are polite and well-mannered. They treat each other, and staff, respectfully. Bullying appears rare and pupils trust adults to deal with it. As a result, pupils feel happy and safe in this school. One parent, typical of many, stated: 'The staff are kind and caring, and encourage the children to be the best they can be'.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes, the school's use of assessment does not accurately check pupils' knowledge and how well pupils have understood important concepts. As a result, some pupils move on to new learning before they are ready, or there are gaps in their learning that impact on their progress. The school should ensure that assessment enables teachers to gain a secure picture of pupils' knowledge and understanding and adapt their teaching accordingly.
• Too many pupils, particularly pupils with SEND, have high levels of absence from school. While the school has taken action that has begun to improve rates of attendance and pupils' attendance is slowly rising, this is not yet having the impact it needs to. This restricts their progress, because they miss out on learning as well as the wider opportunities on offer. The school should continue to work with pupils and families to ensure that they identify and overcome barriers to pupils' attendance, so that pupils attend school regularly.

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