De Warenne Academy, located in Conisbrough, Doncaster, is a secondary school that has recently been inspected and received a rating of good in overall effectiveness. The inspection took place on 12 and 13 October 2021, marking a significant improvement from its previous grade of requires improvement. The school serves 721 pupils aged 11 to 16 and is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where students feel happy and respected. Pupils report that bullying is rare, and they trust the staff to help them with any issues they may face.
The quality of education at De Warenne Academy is recognized as good, with staff maintaining high expectations for student achievement. The curriculum is ambitious, designed to ensure that pupils develop a deep understanding of the subjects they study. Leaders have carefully structured curriculum plans to build knowledge over time, particularly in subjects like French, where a clear progression in phonics, grammar, and vocabulary is evident. However, some subjects, notably religious education, have been identified as needing more ambitious curriculum plans to enhance student learning.
Teachers at the academy generally present information clearly and are adept at identifying and addressing misconceptions in students' understanding. They employ consistent strategies to revisit prior learning and check for understanding, which has proven effective in subjects such as English, science, and computing. Nevertheless, there are areas where teachers' subject knowledge could be strengthened, impacting the clarity of explanations and the effectiveness of assessments.
Pupils demonstrate a strong engagement with their learning and appreciate the support they receive from teachers to help them remember and apply what they have learned. The school promotes a love of reading, providing additional support for those who may struggle with fluency. Behaviour in lessons is generally good, although there are instances where some staff do not consistently apply behaviour management strategies, leading to variability in pupil behaviour across different sessions.
The personal development of pupils is a high priority at De Warenne Academy. The school ensures that students are well-informed about their future career options and meets the requirements of the Baker Clause. Pupils are taught about safety and healthy relationships, and discussions on sensitive topics are handled skillfully by teachers, fostering an environment where students feel comfortable engaging in these discussions.
Leaders at the academy are dedicated to continuous improvement and are ambitious for all pupils. They actively involve governors and trustees in monitoring the impact of their initiatives. While the school has made strides in engaging with parents and carers, there is still work to be done to ensure that all families feel included in the school community.
Staff at De Warenne Academy report high levels of job satisfaction, citing supportive leadership and manageable workloads. The training provided has contributed to the overall improvement in teaching quality. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff knowledgeable about local risks and the curriculum designed to help pupils understand how to keep themselves safe.
In summary, De Warenne Academy has made significant progress since its last inspection, achieving a good rating in multiple areas. The school is focused on providing a high-quality education, fostering positive relationships, and ensuring the personal development of its pupils. However, there are areas for further improvement, particularly in curriculum ambition for certain subjects and consistency in behaviour management practices.
