Ark Dickens Primary Academy, located in Portsmouth, Hampshire, underwent an inspection on November 12 and 13, 2019, and received an overall effectiveness rating of good. The quality of education, behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as good. This marked a significant improvement from the previous inspection in June 2017, which rated the school as requiring improvement.
Pupils at Ark Dickens Primary Academy express positive sentiments about their school experience, highlighting the improvements made since the arrival of the new principal. The staff encourages students to aim high and fosters a culture of resilience, urging them to persevere through challenges. The introduction of a new behavior code has led to noticeable improvements in student conduct, with pupils reporting that expectations for behavior are consistently upheld by adults throughout the school.
The school offers a diverse range of activities, which pupils appreciate. The 11 x 11 program allows every student to participate in eleven memorable experiences during their time at the school, including activities such as rolling down hills and going on residential trips to France. After-school clubs are also popular, with all current clubs fully subscribed.
Safety is a priority at Ark Dickens, with pupils feeling secure and knowing they can approach any adult with concerns. While instances of bullying do occur, pupils report that staff address these issues promptly and effectively.
The quality of education has seen rapid improvement under the current leadership, with enhanced standards and outcomes. Leaders have developed structured plans outlining the curriculum for each subject, ensuring that pupils build on their prior knowledge and skills. However, in some subjects, such as French and history, these plans are newly implemented, leading to inconsistencies in how teachers assess pupil understanding across the school.
Reading is emphasized as a priority, with significant improvements in phonics instruction. Staff are well-trained in teaching phonics, and pupils' progress is closely monitored, with immediate support provided for those who struggle. The books available to pupils are well-suited to their reading levels, and students report an increasing enjoyment of reading, both at home and in school.
Despite the progress made, leaders recognize that too few pupils achieve higher standards in writing. To address this, they are providing a variety of experiences to inspire writing, such as engaging activities that allow pupils to draw from real-life experiences in their writing tasks.
Physical education is a strong point for the school, with a curriculum designed to enhance pupils' skills, fitness, and understanding of healthy lifestyles. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs receive effective support, enabling them to participate fully in school activities and achieve well.
Personal development is a key focus, with leaders ensuring that pupils have access to life experiences that broaden their horizons. This includes opportunities to learn about different cultures and religions, as well as understanding democratic processes through activities like voting for school representatives.
In the early years, staff work diligently to develop children's language skills, particularly for those entering with below-average speaking and listening abilities. This targeted support helps children to read and write effectively by the end of Reception, preparing them for the challenges of Year 1.
Attendance has improved and is now close to the national average, although leaders acknowledge the need to further address the attendance of persistently absent pupils. During the inspection, pupils demonstrated good behavior and engagement in lessons, with only occasional lapses in focus.
Staff express pride in their work at the school, feeling well-supported within a caring culture. The trust board effectively monitors the school and provides necessary support, contributing to the professional development of staff and enhancing their confidence in delivering lessons across various subjects.
The safeguarding arrangements at Ark Dickens are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance and training among staff. They are well-prepared to address any concerns regarding pupil safety and work collaboratively with external agencies to support vulnerable children and their families. Pupils are educated on safety in various contexts, including the responsible use of social media and the internet.
To continue improving, the school needs to embed assessment practices in foundation subjects and enhance attendance for a small group of pupils. Additionally, leaders must ensure that the most able pupils are sufficiently challenged, particularly in writing, by implementing their current plans swiftly.
