Ofsted conducted a monitoring inspection of All Saints Academy Dunstable on May 21, 2024, following a previous inspection that identified serious weaknesses in November 2022. The purpose of this monitoring inspection was to assess the progress made by the school since the last graded inspection. The findings indicate that while the school has made improvements, further work is necessary to fully address the identified weaknesses.
Leaders at the school have developed clear and well-considered plans aimed at driving improvement. These plans effectively identify the areas needing attention and outline the necessary steps for progress. The leadership team rigorously monitors the implementation of these plans, resulting in significant advancements in several key areas. Notably, behavior within the school has shown marked improvement, with a significant reduction in the number of exclusions. The school has established clear behavioral expectations that are well understood by both pupils and staff, leading to a more conducive learning environment with minimal disruptions.
Pupil attendance has also improved, with overall attendance nearing national averages and persistent absence rates falling below those of other secondary schools. The school has prioritized attendance improvement through a rewards system and close collaboration with pastoral leaders and local services to support pupils and their families. Although attendance among disadvantaged pupils remains a concern, efforts to encourage and support them are yielding positive results.
The school has effectively utilized alternative provisions to assist pupils who struggle with traditional schooling. Leaders have enhanced their monitoring of the quality of these provisions to ensure they meet the needs of the pupils and maintain safety standards. Staff morale is high, with nearly all expressing satisfaction in their roles and a clear understanding of the school’s priorities.
Despite these positive developments, the quality of education remains inconsistent. In the strongest lessons, teachers demonstrate solid subject knowledge and effectively identify essential knowledge and vocabulary for pupils. They adeptly address potential misconceptions and model new concepts clearly. However, some teachers struggle to accurately assess pupils' understanding before progressing to new content, leading to gaps in knowledge and suboptimal achievement levels. Leaders recognize the need for improvement in educational outcomes and are providing training to enhance staff skills, but further efforts are required to ensure high-quality learning experiences for all pupils.
The school has implemented effective reading assessments to identify weaker readers and provide targeted interventions, such as phonics sessions. This approach has resulted in increased fluency and confidence among these pupils. While the school promotes reading, it acknowledges that not all pupils engage with reading sufficiently outside of English lessons. Plans are in place to encourage a broader reading culture among students.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with pupils feeling safe and supported. The expanded pastoral and safeguarding team effectively addresses pupils' needs, and trained counselors are available to assist with mental health and well-being concerns. Overall, while All Saints Academy Dunstable has made commendable progress since the last inspection, ongoing efforts are essential to ensure that the school no longer faces serious weaknesses and that all pupils receive a consistently high-quality education.
