Westfield Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 October 2023

Westfield Academy is a happy, inclusive and caring school. The school's ethos is built on warm and respectful relationships between staff and pupils. Pupils feel well cared for. They say that bullying is rare. Many parents comment positively about how the school 'sees the qualities in every child'. Pupils behave well. When pupils struggle to meet expectations, they receive high-quality pastoral care. Pupils learn from an ambitious and engaging curriculum. They learn a wide range of subjects in both key stages. Most pupils enjoy their learning. Lessons are calm and purposeful, and pupils learn effectively in most subjects. They are encouraged to read widely. Pupils learn about other cultures. The school ensures that the physical and emotional well-being of pupils is prioritised. Pupils feel listened to. They have many opportunities to have their say about life in their school. There is a large and varied extra-curricular offer for all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged. Pupils are very proud of their school. The school's 'strive' values, including integrity and empathy, are demonstrated by the whole school community.

What the school should improve

• In a few subjects, the small steps of knowledge that pupils must gain are not clearly identified. As a result, pupils, including pupils with SEND, do not learn as well in these subjects as they do in others. The trust should work with teachers to ensure that pupils build consistently strong knowledge across all subjects.
• Staff do not always use assessment effectively. They do not check that all pupils have understood what has been taught before introducing new content. This means that some pupils have gaps in their knowledge that persist. The trust should ensure that teachers use assessment strategies consistently well so that all pupils can learn effectively in all subjects, and misconceptions are addressed swiftly.

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