Press Release.
Cabot Learning Federation
Brook Road, Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 4JT
The Cabot Learning Federation is delighted and proud to announce that Wallscourt Farm Academy has retained its ‘Good’ status by Ofsted after a recent inspection.
Inspectors noted that, “Pupils are proud to be part of Wallscourt Farm Academy. They are polite, courteous and friendly to staff and visitors. They enjoy learning and are keen to do well.”
Sue Kelham, Principal of Wallscourt Farm Academy said, “I am really pleased that Wallscourt Farm Academy has retained its good rating. Our last inspection was in 2016 when we only had years R-2. As we have grown, we have continued to develop the ethos and culture and the promotion of rights and responsibilities resulting in a school that learners and their families are proud of. At WFA, we often talk about ‘one learning community’ and I would like to thank everyone in our learning community, children, staff, families, and the CLF Trust, for their part in making our Academy a joy-filled place to learn.”
Ofsted’s report said: Staff have high expectations of pupils. The promotion of individual rights and responsibilities has a positive impact on behaviour. As a result, the school is calm, orderly and learning is rarely disrupted. Pupils feel happy, safe and well looked after. Pupils say that bullying is rare but when it does happen, adults deal with it quickly.
Pupils appreciate the many opportunities they are given. Pupils speak with pride about their role as ‘Future Leaders’. This gives them a sense of purpose and helps them to understand what democracy means
Most parents and carers speak positively about the school. One parent said that the school’s innovative approach to teaching and learning had inspired their children to be engaged with their learning.
Pupils receive a good quality of education. Leaders provide a well-organised and ambitious curriculum. Subjects are well planned and sequenced. This starts in the Reception Year, where children show high levels of curiosity, concentration and enjoyment. In mathematics, for example, children in the early years use their understanding of number to create and share number sentences with one another.
This strong start prepares older pupils to use their knowledge of number to tackle more complex problems successfully.
Susie Weaver, Cabot Learning Federation Executive Principal said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection that took place recently at Wallscourt Farm Academy. The letter describes that pupils speak with pride about their role as Future Leaders and that pupils understand how to be responsible, respectful and active citizens. To have these attributes shown by our learners is an illustration of our trust wide values and aims of the curriculum and is an indication of a strong sense of school and trust working in partnership.”
Ofsted’s report also noted: Leaders have identified the key knowledge that pupils need to know in each subject.
Leaders ensure that reading is a priority. Phonics is taught well. Books are matched to the sounds that pupils know. Younger pupils get off to a positive start and develop a love of reading. Teachers identify pupils who start to fall behind. They provide extra help so that pupils become confident, fluent readers and catch up quickly. Older pupils enjoy reading a wide range of authors and genres. They speak enthusiastically about the books they read.
On special educational needs Ofsted commented: “Leaders are ambitious for all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged or pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND enjoy school and follow the full curriculum. Teachers use assessment information well to adapt the curriculum and regularly review the best strategies to support pupils. As a result, pupils are fully involved in learning. Pupils with SEND, therefore, learn alongside their peers successfully and make good progress towards their individual targets.”
Leaders provide a well-organised and carefully planned curriculum that develops pupils’ resilience, independence and strength of character. As a result, pupils’ behaviour in lessons is good. There is an atmosphere of mutual respect. Pupils enjoy the opportunities they are given through the school’s ‘Being a Citizen’ curriculum. They take part, for example, in the school brass ensemble, art and sport clubs. This helps them to understand how to be responsible, respectful and active citizens.
Trust and school leaders have a clear vision for the school and have a shared commitment. They know the school’s strengths and weaknesses well. Leaders have created a purposeful environment where pupils and staff are keen to learn. Staff, including early career teachers, say that leaders fully support their development and well-being. Staff appreciate the consideration of leaders, which they say helps them to manage their workload effectively.
On the topic of student safeguarding they said: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Leaders and staff ensure that the safety of pupils is at the forefront of their work. They understand their safeguarding responsibilities. Staff are well trained to recognise the signs of abuse or neglect. This enables them to quickly identify children and families who are in need of help. Records are detailed and well organised.
The school’s curriculum helps pupils to know how to keep themselves safe. Pupils learn how to stay safe online and talk confidently.
Note to editors:
Since 2009 the CLF has developed from a small Bristol-based secondary education partnership to an instinctively collaborative ambitious organisation of over 20 schools, serving the educational needs of over 12,000 children and young people aged 3 to 19. The trust also includes a Maths Hub, Initial Teacher Training and is a founding partner in the Five Counties Teaching School hub Alliance. The trust is sponsored by the University of the West of England and Rolls-Royce PLC. CLF academies are based in three 3-19 clusters in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
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