Castlefort Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

From the moment pupils join Castlefort, they become part of a family group.

School staff and Pippin, their mentor dog, care for them and greet them with a smile every day. Pupils are eager to learn. Everybody in the Castlefort community wants pupils to be the best they can be.

The school has high expectations of everybody. Pupils take care presenting their work. They achieve well.

Pupils enjoy talking about work they have done before and how this helps them with new learning.

It is important to 'be kind' at Castlefort. Pupils do this consistently well.

They enjoy playing together. Older pupils help younger pupils with their learning. Pupils ...consistently demonstrate respect towards each other.

This helps them to earn castle coins to spend at The Emporium. Pupils feel happy and safe at school. They know that there is always somebody they can talk to when they need support.

Many pupils have the opportunity to represent the school in different competitions. They are able to attend many clubs, such as sewing, yoga and football. All pupils are able to take part in visits to the zoo, the beach and residential stays.

Pupils appreciate these experiences.

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

There is a determination that all children and pupils will achieve well. This starts in the early years.

The school develops children as 'little talkers' to help them learn new words. Children make links in their learning from carefully crafted activities. Children can learn in imaginative and creative ways because of their inspiring environment.

Children receive an excellent start as a result of expert teaching and leadership in the early years.

Staff identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effectively. The school has developed its own nurture programme to support pupils with SEND.

There is an effective curriculum in place. The school has identified the essential knowledge and skills that pupils should know. Pupils are able to recall their learning and consider the impact it has on new learning.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and deliver the curriculum well. However, on a small number of occasions, staff do not provide pupils with work that precisely meets their needs. When this happens, it takes pupils longer to learn parts of the curriculum.

A love of reading, words and vocabulary runs throughout the school. Pupils enjoy spending time in their library and inviting reading areas. The reading curriculum underpins all that pupils learn.

Children in the early years use a range of books to understand new words. By the time pupils are in key stage 2, they discuss the work of Shakespeare and are able to show a clear understanding of what they have read. Staff teach phonics well.

When pupils find learning a new sound tricky, staff notice this and give them extra help on the same day. This means they do not find sounds tricky for long.

Close attention to detail in every corner of the school ensures a calm and inspiring learning environment.

Pupils have good routines and follow rules well. There is a culture set for behaviour which sets high expectations. As a result, pupils take pride when recognised as a learning champion or ambassador.

Pupils demonstrate the school values in all that they do. Pupils value the chance to celebrate their excellent behaviour and personal achievements during the annual presentation evening.

The school prepares pupils to be exceptional citizens in their community.

Roles such as peace patrollers, librarians and playground leaders help to achieve this. The curriculum gives pupils a deep understanding of the local area. They enjoy learning about their Walsall heritage.

Pupils recognise matters such as equality, poverty and online safety. There is a relentless focus to enhance pupils' knowledge of these issues. Close links with local organisations help achieve this.

Celebrating pupils' talents is a top priority in the school calendar. Pupils have chance to join a bake-off, dance festival and talent show. They have shared their artwork in a local gallery.

Inter-school competitions across all areas of the curriculum happen often. These opportunities are very important to parents and carers.

The governing body knows the school's strengths and next steps well.

It takes pride in its work to support the improvement work of the school. Governors and leaders are considerate of staff's well-being and workload. Their high expectations and positive support for all mean staff feel valued, trusted and enjoy working at this school.

Parents share this pride. They feel their children get the very best opportunities by coming to Castlefort.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• On a small number of occasions, teachers do not provide pupils with work that precisely meets their needs. This means that, for some pupils, being secure in aspects of the curriculum takes longer. The school should ensure that all staff have the skills and knowledge to provide support in a way that aids pupils' learning.