Landau Forte Academy, Amington, located in Tamworth, Staffordshire, underwent an inspection on 10 and 11 May 2022, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school has made significant progress since its previous inspection, where it was rated as requiring improvement. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated as good.
Pupils express pride in attending the academy, embracing its values of ambition, bravery, and kindness. They demonstrate good manners and appreciate the efforts of staff to build positive relationships. The principal has successfully united the staff around a shared vision of high aspirations for all pupils, ensuring they receive a quality education that prepares them well for future educational stages. Pupils feel supported by adults in the school, both academically and personally, and most report feeling safe. While bullying is acknowledged to occur occasionally, pupils trust that staff will address any issues effectively.
The school has implemented a broad and ambitious curriculum, particularly emphasizing the English Baccalaureate. This focus has led to an increase in the number of pupils studying EBacc subjects. Leaders have strengthened the curriculum across all subjects, ensuring that learning is sequenced logically and builds on prior knowledge. However, in a minority of subjects, the curriculum lacks the same level of detail, which can hinder the depth of learning for some pupils.
Teaching approaches are consistent throughout the school, with effective questioning techniques employed to enhance pupils' understanding and retention of knowledge. Teachers maintain high expectations regarding spelling, punctuation, and grammar, and they revisit key vocabulary and concepts regularly. There are also well-planned opportunities for pupils to develop literacy skills across the curriculum, with targeted support for those who struggle with reading, including those with special educational needs.
The personal, social, and health education curriculum equips pupils to navigate life in modern Britain, fostering respectful and tolerant attitudes. Pupils who require additional behavioral support speak positively about the pastoral care they receive, highlighting the strong relationships they have with staff. The school provides extensive careers education, and pupils appreciate the guidance they receive in planning their futures.
Leaders and governors prioritize staff well-being and workload management, with support systems in place for both staff and pupils. While most parents recognize the positive changes in the school, some remain skeptical, and efforts are ongoing to enhance engagement with families and the wider community.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with a strong culture of safeguarding evident. Staff are well-trained to identify pupils at risk and understand the procedures for reporting concerns. Leaders collaborate with local agencies to educate pupils about potential risks, such as knife crime.
To improve further, leaders need to refine the curriculum in a few subjects to ensure that the foundational knowledge is clearly defined. Additionally, while behavior has improved significantly, there are instances where behavior management strategies are not consistently applied, which can disrupt learning. Leaders should ensure that all staff are confident in implementing the behavior policy effectively. Overall, Landau Forte Academy, Amington, demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
