Ark Castledown Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Pupils thrive at this highly inclusive school. They have a clear sense of belonging and feel safe.

Pupils are confident and proud of their school. They especially enjoy making a difference in their community, for example through improving their allotment, performing in the Hastings carnival parade, or singing together with other schools in London. Pupils behave with integrity.

They display positive attitudes towards staff and each other, and show respect to all. Playtimes and lunchtimes are vibrant and fun. Pupils play happily together.

Bullying is rare but dealt with quickly if it ever happens.Pupils enjoy school and most attend regularly. If any pupils are at risk of lower attendance, they receive highly persona...lised and thoughtful pastoral care and support to help them attend more frequently.

Children in early years, as well as pupils who join the school in later years, make a strong start, because staff have a deep understanding of the various barriers to learning and wellbeing that pupils may face. They are expert at identifying these barriers quickly, and begin reducing them right from the start. In particular, the school's highly consistent approach to ensuring that pupils develop strong communication and language skills is impressive.

The school works closely with parents and external agencies to get the right help and support that pupils need to succeed.The curriculum is highly ambitious. It is taught consistently well so that pupils' knowledge and understanding deepens over time.

The school's expert provision for reading and mathematics ensures that pupils, in particular disadvantaged pupils, achieve extremely well from their starting points. Pupils achieve well in other subjects too. Outcomes in national tests and examinations highlight how, by the end of key stage 2, pupils are very well prepared for their next stage of education.