The St Leonards Academy, located in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, underwent an inspection from June 14 to 15, 2022, and received an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, and leadership and management were also rated as Requires Improvement, while personal development was rated as Good. The previous inspection in January 2017 had rated the school as Good.
Most pupils express enjoyment in attending the school and feel that it is improving. They appreciate the care provided by staff and the support from the safeguarding and well-being team, which helps them feel safe. The school promotes an inclusive environment, allowing pupils to express their identities freely. However, while leaders have high expectations for behavior, the implementation of new policies has not yet been fully realized, leading to concerns about behavior during social times and between lessons. Although bullying is reported to occur, most pupils believe that staff respond promptly when issues are raised.
The school has restarted a variety of extracurricular clubs, which have been well-received by pupils and parents. However, the quality of classroom learning experiences varies, and the curriculum lacks consistency in planning and delivery. Attendance remains a challenge, with many pupils not attending regularly enough despite efforts to improve this aspect.
The inspection highlighted some strengths, including increased stability in senior leadership, which is positively impacting the school. Staff feel supported, and leaders are working on designing an ambitious curriculum. In subjects like English and mathematics, there is a clear understanding of the knowledge and skills required for pupils, and teachers effectively present their subject knowledge. However, these strengths are not uniformly observed across all subjects, with inconsistencies in curriculum planning and delivery noted.
Some teachers regularly assess pupils' understanding, which helps reinforce their knowledge, while in other subjects, weaknesses in planning lead to information overload, making it difficult for pupils to discern essential learning points. Reading is a priority for leaders, with significant investments made to enhance pupils' confidence in reading and promote reading for pleasure.
The personal, social, and health education curriculum is well-structured, covering vital topics such as consent and online safety. Pupils feel comfortable expressing their views and listening to others. Careers education is also a strength, with a well-planned curriculum that provides pupils with comprehensive guidance.
The school has appointed a new special educational needs coordinator, and the SEND team is well-supported to ensure that pupils' needs are accurately identified and met. Recent actions have been taken to improve attendance, with some positive results, although further work is needed.
The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture established by leaders. Staff are dedicated to pupil safety and are aware of local risks. Regular training ensures that all staff are equipped to handle safeguarding concerns, and pupils know where to seek help.
To improve, the school must ensure that the curriculum is coherent and well-sequenced across all subjects, enabling pupils to deepen their knowledge and skills. Attendance, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, needs to be addressed, as persistent absence remains too high. Additionally, clarity around behavior expectations and consistent application of behavior management strategies are necessary to enhance the overall school environment.