St Weonard's Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 July 2026

Pupils arrive at school happy and ready to learn. They enjoy greeting friends in the playground and move calmly into their classrooms, showing that routines are familiar and well established. Pupils feel safe because adults know them well and respond with care and consistency. They say they know who to talk to if they are worried and trust staff to help them. Pupils behave sensibly throughout the day. They play cooperatively, particularly enjoying football under the trees, and pupils from the resource base are fully included in these social times. Pupils understand the difference between bullying and unkind behaviour and are confident that staff deal with concerns fairly. They describe the school’s values clearly and explain how these help them treat others with respect. Pupils enjoy their learning. In early years, children engage enthusiastically in practical activities that build early language, motor skills and confidence. Older pupils talk with pride about subjects such as art, geography, history and science, recalling key knowledge and vocabulary. Reading buddies give pupils a sense of responsibility and strengthen relationships across year groups. Pupils with the most complex needs participate meaningfully because adults use signs, symbols and communication boards skilfully. Calm routines help these pupils feel secure and able to explore with increasing independence. Pupils typically achieve well, although some find early reading and writing more difficult. They persevere and benefit from adults’ encouragement. Pupils value wider experiences such as residential visits, theatre trips, charity events and community activities. These help them feel part of a wider community and broaden their understanding of the world. Pupils feel they belong. They describe their school as friendly and inclusive, and they show genuine appreciation for the support they receive. Overall, pupils thrive socially, emotionally and academically and they enjoy being part of this school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that the teaching of reading, writing and mathematics is consistently effective so that pupils secure the foundational writing skills needed for future learning.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils’ attendance continues to be monitored closely, taking the school’s unique context into account, to sustain improvements in attendance over time.

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