King's Lynn Academy, located in Norfolk, underwent an inspection on May 17 and 18, 2022, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Good. The school has made significant improvements since its previous inspection, which rated it as requiring improvement. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all rated as good, indicating a positive trajectory in the school's performance.
Pupils at King's Lynn Academy feel supported and valued, thanks to the leadership's commitment to their well-being and success. The school fosters a sense of belonging, encouraging students to believe in their potential. Staff members maintain high expectations for all pupils, tailoring educational provisions to meet individual needs. The school offers specialized programs, such as 'Forward Step,' to assist those who struggle with the mainstream curriculum, ensuring that all students can achieve positive outcomes.
Students experience success in their learning, participating confidently in discussions and activities. The school environment promotes safety and encourages risk-taking in learning, with teachers providing constructive feedback that students appreciate. Disruptions to learning are minimal, as pupils understand and respect the behavior management system in place. Incidents of bullying are rare, and students treat one another with respect and tolerance, knowing that their concerns will be addressed by staff.
The curriculum has been redeveloped to better meet the needs of pupils, with a focus on raising academic aspirations. The majority of key stage four pupils study the English Baccalaureate, and the key stage three curriculum is designed to prepare students effectively for this. Teachers assess students' prior knowledge and plan lessons that build on this foundation, breaking down complex concepts to facilitate understanding. However, in a small number of subjects, the implementation of the curriculum has not reached the same level of success, leading to some gaps in knowledge retention and vocabulary comprehension.
Teachers utilize assessment to track student understanding and adapt their teaching accordingly, providing targeted support to help pupils stay on track. While some students struggle with reading fluency, the English department offers effective support to help all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. However, some support plans for these students lack the necessary precision, which can hinder effective assistance.
The school provides a comprehensive personal, social, and health education program that evolves as students progress through their education. While there are a variety of extracurricular activities available, including clubs and sports teams, some aspects of the PSHE curriculum require better planning and delivery to maximize their effectiveness.
Leadership at King's Lynn Academy is strong, with leaders effectively evaluating the school's strengths and areas for development. The trust supporting the school has played a crucial role in enabling leaders to focus on raising standards, providing assistance in various areas, including human resources and finance.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with effective recruitment and vetting processes in place. Leaders maintain clear records of safeguarding concerns and have established strong relationships with external organizations to support families in need. Staff training ensures that all employees are vigilant and capable of addressing safeguarding issues.
To further improve, the school needs to enhance curriculum planning in certain subjects to ensure consistency in the quality of education. Additionally, the precision of support plans for students with special educational needs must be improved to better meet their needs. Overall, King's Lynn Academy demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and the well-being of its pupils.
