Ofsted

Section 8 monitoring visit, June 2021

On the 15th of June 2021 Ofsted carried out their monitoring inspection of Victoria Primary Academy.

We are pleased to let you know that the main finding of the report was that:

Leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action in order for the school to become a good school.

 There were many positive comments made by Ofsted. The entire school team is committed to continuing our hard work to improve the academy yet further.

  • Leaders know their school well. They are committed to providing a well-planned and balanced curriculum that will meet the needs of the pupils at Victoria Primary Academy.
  • Curriculum leaders have been provided with a wealth of training to help them lead their subjects.
  • The leader with responsibility for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) has made sure that support plans are in place for every pupil who needs one.
  • All pupils are taught strategies to help them to deal with their emotions. Pupils who find it hard to manage their feelings have individual plans and receive additional support. Pupils can talk about the techniques they have been taught in order to cope when they are stressed or angry. They say that these techniques have helped them when they are finding things hard in school.
  • Helping pupils to become fluent readers has been a priority for the school. Younger pupils have daily phonics lessons. These lessons are well planned and taught consistently by staff who have high expectations of what pupils can achieve.

This is a really positive outcome for the academy, thank you to all staff, parents and pupils for your hard work and support for the academy during this challenging year.

Section 8 monitoring visit, March 2021

On the 3rd March 2021, Ofsted carried out an additional, remote monitoring inspection of Victoria Primary Academy.

I am very proud to share the report of the monitoring inspection with you.

The inspectors said that:

Leaders and those responsible for governance are taking effective action to provide education in the current circumstances.

This is a really positive outcome for the academy, thank you to all staff, parents and pupils for your hard work and support for the academy during this challenging year.

During the course of the day, the inspectors spoke to senior, Trust and middle leaders, met with curriculum leaders, listened to children read and sampled remote learning lessons and work completed by children. They also reviewed parent and staff questionnaires completed for the inspection team.

The inspectors recognised the continued improvements we have made since our last full section 5 Ofsted inspection on the 8th and 9th of May 2019.  Information from that inspection can be seen below. Our Ofsted judgements remain the same as this was a monitoring visit only.

Section 5 Ofsted Inspection, May 2019

The academy received a section 5 Ofsted inspection visit on the 8th and 9th of May 2019. The key outcomes of which can be seen below:

During the course of the 2 days the inspectors observed 40 lessons and pupil behaviour around the academy; spoke to staff, directors, pupils and parents; looked at pupil work; heard children read; reviewed academy documents and data and spent time reviewing the academy safeguarding records and procedures.

Pupils demonstrated their values and spoke positively to inspectors, they represented Victoria fantastically well.

We are pleased that the inspectors recognised the continued improvements the academy has made since our last inspection.

The graded judgements made by the inspection team demonstrate the improvements made:

  • Effectiveness of leadership and management  - Good
  • Personal development, behaviour and welfare  - Good
  • Early years provision  - Good

There was clear recognition of the progress made in the Quality of teaching, learning & assessment and outcomes for pupils since the last inspection. These areas have been graded as requires improvement. Taking all of the above into consideration, our overall grading is Requires Improvement.

These are the key strengths recognised by the team:

  • The principal continues to provide strong leadership, based on accurate knowledge of the school and its community.
  • Senior and other leaders work together as an effective team with a consistent rigour and shared vision to improve outcomes for pupils.
  • The Hatton Academies Trust (the trust) provides effective support for the school, including flexible and responsive staff training.
  • Leaders have established a positive learning environment.
  • Phonics is taught well.
  • The inclusion team members use information carefully to ensure that they provide tailored support for vulnerable pupils. These pupils make progress that is often better than that of others in the school.
  • Early years leaders ensure that children settle quickly and waste no time in making a good start to their learning. There is a clear focus on giving children the basic skills they need to be ready for Year 1.
  • Parent and carers value the approachable staff. They are rightly confident that their children are safe and happy.
  • The inspectors also outlined some areas for improvement, and I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that academy leaders, teachers and support staff will continue to work together tirelessly to ensure that we are able to successfully meet these targets before the inspectors visit us again.

Please see some of the really positive things the inspectors said about our academy below:

  • Senior leaders provide effective training to all leaders and staff.
  • The curriculum is broad and balanced.
  • The cultural diversity of the school community is used well to promote understanding, tolerance and mutual respect.
  • Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is well promoted across the curriculum. Leaders encourage pupils to be mindful and think about their actions as responsible citizens.
  • Pupils enjoy taking on responsibilities such as being librarians and telephone operators for internal calls. They are particularly thoughtful and keen to help pupils who are new to the school, including giving translation support.
  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
  • There are rigorous systems and procedures in place, which are understood by all staff. Leaders keep thorough records to ensure effective and timely work with external agencies.
  • The culture of safeguarding in the school is evident. Pupils spoken to by inspectors said that they feel safe. Teaching children about how to keep themselves safe is given a high priority by leaders. Pupils were particularly knowledgeable about how to keep themselves safe online.
  • Teachers have good relationships with pupils and establish clear routines, and pupils are keen to learn. Teachers consistently maintain a calm and focused climate for learning.
  • Teachers are conscientious and work hard to respond to and implement school policies and approaches.
  • The school’s work to promote pupil’s personal development and welfare is good.
  • The strong ethos of respect and care is underpinned by clear ‘Victoria Values’.
  • Pupils have positive attitudes to learning
  • Pupils understand how to keep themselves safe and feel very safe in school.
  • They (parents) are rightly confident that their children are happy and safe.
  • The behaviour of pupils is good. Pupils show courtesy and consideration towards each other and adults, including visitors to the school.
  • Pupils enjoy coming to school. Pupils behave well in class and around school.
  • Pupils take responsibility for their actions and choices, due to a strong ethos of respect and citizenship.
  • The school is never complacent and continually keeps the importance of good attendance in the minds of parents and pupils.
  • Early years leader sets high expectations across the whole teaching team.
  • Children settle quickly into the welcoming environment because the adults working in early years provide a variety of interesting, stimulating and well-organised activities.
  • Parents are rightly positive about the good start their children make in the Reception class.

The full report is available on the link below. Please ask at the office if you would like a printed copy.

Mrs H Scargill
Principal

To view the section 5 March 2019 report on the Ofsted website please click here

To view the section 8 March 2021 report please click here.

Ofsted Report