Abbey School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Abbey School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.

The executive headteacher of this school is Luci Windle.

The head of school is Wayne Askham. This school is part of Nexus Multi Academy Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer (CEO), Warren Carat, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Rachel Potts.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are proud to attend this exceptional school. Pupils know that staff care for them deeply and that there is always an adult there for them when needed. Consequently, pupi...ls love their time in school and behave extremely well.

The school has extremely high aspirations for all pupils. There are no restrictions placed on what the school expects pupils to achieve. Pupils have numerous opportunities to develop their employability skills, as well as their independence and communication skills.

Staff have a thorough understanding of pupils' individual and complex needs. This, along with an ambitious curriculum, ensures that pupils are extremely well prepared for their next steps.

Pupils' personal development is woven through everything the school does.

Pupils appreciate the impressive range of opportunities they are offered. These include inclusive sports opportunities such as netball, cricket, dance festivals and school trips. Pupils are keen to help others and support local charities.

They regularly visit their community, where they use the local shops, libraries and museums, and support the elderly.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Since the previous inspection, the school has continued to go from strength to strength. Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for pupils to go on to further education and employment.

They create purposeful, real-life learning environments in which pupils are eager to learn.

The school plans the curriculum exceptionally well to meet each pupil's needs. Staff check pupils' learning carefully.

They know exactly what each pupil needs to learn and do next. This ensures that all pupils receive a high-quality education. Irrespective of their starting points or individual needs, pupils achieve well.

At key stage 4 and in the sixth form, pupils study a diverse range of qualifications that prepare them successfully for their next steps.

Communication is central to the school's approach. Young children learn to express their needs and communicate their choices.

Staff model spoken language clearly, and they provide strong support. This helps children to communicate well, whether through speech, symbol support, sign language or communication devices. Older pupils are supported to communicate confidently through the many projects the school offers.

These include the pupils' parliament and clubs designed to build confidence, such as the Abbey's Man Club and Girl Power Days.

The school is passionate about ensuring that all pupils learn to read fluently. Reading materials are well matched to pupils' reading levels.

Daily pre-reading and phonics sessions enable pupils who struggle with reading to become confident readers. Highly trained staff provide targeted support to help pupils build their fluency in reading. Staff are relentless in seeking ways to engage pupils in a love of reading.

Pupils have regular access to a wealth of high-quality texts.

Pupils are highly motivated and enjoy learning. The youngest children quickly learn how to follow routines and take turns.

Staff support pupils well in learning to manage their own behaviour. Playtimes are full of activity, with exciting play spaces and pupils socialising happily with their peers. Older pupils are afforded opportunities to support younger children through leadership programmes.

Pupils can talk confidently about the support they provide each other and why. The school builds strong relationships with families and carefully monitors pupils' attendance. This ensures that pupils attend school regularly.

The school places a great emphasis on the importance of pupils' wider personal development. Pupils have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves healthy both physically and emotionally. They know how to stay safe online.

Pupils celebrate religious festivals. They explore equality and diversity through school assemblies and a whole host of special events. These foster the understanding, tolerance and respect that are deeply embedded in the school's community.

The school prepares pupils exceptionally well for life in modern Britain. It provides comprehensive careers education, advice and guidance. Pupils are offered regular and meaningful opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of work through their 'Steam Street' jobs.

Pupils need to apply for these jobs, which include hospitality, IT support and play worker. Pupils receive payment through house points that can then be exchanged for rewards. Pupils highly value these roles, which in turn support them to develop their confidence and the belief that they can go on to gain employment.

Trustees and governors share the school's passion for providing the absolute best for pupils. Staff are all very proud to work at the school. Staff value the support that they receive for their well-being, workload and their continued professional development.

Parents and carers are glowing in their praise for the school. They typically say that staff 'go above and beyond' in all they do for their children and their families.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Background

Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection we gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted's website. From September 2024, graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade.

This school was, before September 2024, judged to be outstanding for its overall effectiveness.

We have now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school's work has improved significantly or that it may not be as strong as it was at the last inspection, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection. A graded inspection is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to outstanding for overall effectiveness in May 2019.