Abbey Park Academy, located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on September 21 and 22, 2022. The school fosters an environment where pupils thrive, emphasizing respect, resilience, responsibility, and reflection. This approach aids in the development of good character among students. A notable aspect of the school's culture is the ‘expectations for learning’ policy, which encourages pupils to reflect on their behavior, particularly when it negatively impacts others. This reflective practice promotes a sense of accountability and helps maintain a happy and safe school environment.
The school has reported minimal instances of bullying, with most parents and carers expressing satisfaction with the leadership's response to any bullying incidents. However, some parents have indicated a desire for improved communication from the new principal. Pupils eagerly anticipate ‘Proud Thursday,’ a day when they can showcase their good work to school leaders, fostering a culture of praise that motivates them to excel in their studies. Overall, pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and demonstrate good behavior in lessons, responding well to the high expectations set by staff.
Abbey Park Academy benefits from the support of a multi-academy trust that provides a structured curriculum and policies aimed at reducing teacher workload. The school excels in teaching English and mathematics, with teachers demonstrating excellent subject knowledge. Pupils are achieving commendable results in these subjects. The school also places a strong emphasis on early reading and phonics, with each class utilizing a reading map to encourage a love for reading. The reading passport system rewards pupils for reading new books, and those who complete their reading maps can select a book from a vending machine, making reading an enjoyable experience.
The mathematics curriculum is equally effective, with teachers skillfully using assessments to identify gaps in pupils' knowledge. From the early years, staff ensure that children quickly learn numbers and numerical patterns, embedding this learning in daily activities. For instance, teachers in Reception Year incorporate counting into routine tasks, helping children develop their counting skills.
The special educational needs coordinator possesses expert knowledge, and teaching assistants are trained to use diagnostic tests to support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. This tailored approach allows teachers to adapt lessons to meet individual learning needs, enabling pupils with SEND to make good progress in both English and mathematics.
Recently, the school introduced new curriculum plans in art and design, history, and geography. While teachers are still familiarizing themselves with these plans, there is variability in subject knowledge among staff in foundation subjects. This inconsistency sometimes leads to unsuitable work being set for pupils, particularly in key stage one, where some students lack the foundational skills needed to complete tasks successfully.
Pupils generally behave well in lessons and are reminded to show respect for others. The broader curriculum supports pupils' development, allowing them to recall what they have learned about various faiths and cultures. The school engages in cultural exchange programs with other schools within the trust, enhancing pupils' experiences of diversity. For example, Year 5 pupils participate in exchange visits, and Abbey Park Academy recently excelled in an inter-school athletics competition.
The school's safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children. Leaders maintain thorough records of staff attendance at safeguarding training, and additional training is provided for absent staff to ensure everyone is up to date. The well-being and attendance officers follow up on concerns raised by staff regarding pupils, collaborating with the designated safeguarding lead.
To improve further, leaders need to enhance the implementation of curriculum plans in foundation subjects and provide effective support to improve teachers' subject knowledge in these areas. This will ensure that all pupils can achieve the aims of the wider curriculum and receive a well-rounded education. Overall, Abbey Park Academy continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing a good educational experience for its pupils.
