Packmoor Ormiston Academy underwent a short inspection on July 9, 2019, and the findings indicate that the school continues to maintain a good standard of education. The leadership team, under the principal, has effectively upheld the quality of education since the last inspection in January 2015. The school, which became part of the Ormiston Academy Trust in August 2016, benefits from a capable leadership team that collaborates well to ensure a positive learning environment for pupils. The focus on both academic progress and personal development has resulted in pupils feeling safe, happy, and well cared for at school.
Leaders possess a comprehensive understanding of the school's strengths and areas needing improvement, regularly assessing the quality of teaching and pupil progress. Staff training is well-planned and tailored to meet the school's priorities, ensuring that teachers and teaching assistants are equipped to support pupil development effectively. Subject leaders have clear action plans that prioritize improvement and aim to maximize pupil achievement.
Parents and carers express positive sentiments about the school, appreciating the opportunities for educational visits and after-school clubs. Feedback from parents indicates a high level of satisfaction with the progress their children make, particularly in their transition from early years to key stage one and from key stage two to secondary school. Pupils exhibit courteous behavior and take pride in their work, demonstrating a strong sense of community and respect for one another.
The local governing board plays an essential role in providing support and challenge to the leadership team, maintaining an accurate understanding of the school's performance. Since the previous inspection, the school has made significant strides in ensuring that pupils make good progress. Notably, in 2018, the percentage of pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics surpassed the national average for the first time in three years.
The school has effectively addressed previous recommendations regarding the use of mathematical understanding in real-life contexts, as evidenced by pupils' work across various subjects. Safeguarding measures are robust, with thorough recruitment and training processes in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all pupils. Parents and pupils alike feel confident in the school's commitment to safeguarding, with pupils reporting that they feel safe and supported.
The inspection also focused on the use of the pupil premium grant to support disadvantaged pupils, revealing that leaders have taken proactive steps to address previous shortcomings. Teachers are well-informed about the needs of disadvantaged pupils, and tailored support is provided to help them make strong progress. However, some disadvantaged pupils still require additional support to reach their full potential.
In terms of teaching quality, particularly in key stage one, teachers demonstrate excellent subject knowledge and high expectations for pupil learning. While they provide engaging and motivating tasks, there are instances where excessive guidance may limit pupils' opportunities for independent thinking. The curriculum is rich and well-balanced, allowing pupils to develop knowledge and skills across various subjects while fostering an understanding of British values and respect for diversity.
Moving forward, the school aims to continue reducing the achievement gap for disadvantaged pupils and enhance teaching quality to promote greater independence among learners. The commitment to ongoing improvement and the positive feedback from the school community highlight the effective leadership and supportive environment at Packmoor Ormiston Academy.
