Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Knighton Fields Primary Academy on 2 May 2019, following the previous inspection in February 2016, which rated the school as good. The leadership team has successfully maintained the quality of education, and the school continues to be good. Since joining the Mead Educational Trust in June 2016, the acting principal, Miss Jenny Slinger, has effectively led the school. The environment is bright and welcoming, with pupils expressing their enjoyment of school and their pride in their learning. They engage positively with one another, demonstrating politeness and courtesy.
Pupils report that incidents of inappropriate behavior are rare and are addressed promptly. The school promotes a culture of respect and support, with pupils actively participating in fundraising activities for families in need. The curriculum offers a variety of extracurricular activities, and pupils enthusiastically recall experiences such as a visit to the Space Centre, which enhanced their writing skills.
The leadership team emphasizes behaviors for learning, including resilience and responsibility, which contribute to a positive learning atmosphere. Parents and carers support the school and appreciate the communication regarding their children's experiences, particularly enjoying the morning snack shack. The acting principal is well-supported by the substantive principal and the academy trust, ensuring a consistent approach to teaching and learning.
The school has identified key priorities for improvement, particularly in raising expectations for pupil achievement. Regular meetings among senior and subject leaders help monitor pupil progress and provide timely support for those needing to catch up. The academy councillors understand the school’s priorities and actively engage in monitoring progress.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with the leadership team ensuring that all arrangements are robust. Staff receive regular training, and there is a clear induction process for new employees. The school promotes a culture of safety, with pupils feeling secure and knowing whom to approach with concerns. The majority of parents feel their children are safe at school.
Despite the positive aspects, the school faces challenges in early years development, with a lower-than-expected proportion of children achieving a good level of development. The leadership team has recognized this and is implementing strategies to improve outcomes, particularly for children entering with lower skill levels. Initiatives to engage parents in supporting their children's learning at home are underway, and there is a focus on enhancing questioning techniques during independent tasks.
Pupil attainment at the end of key stage one has also been below national expectations, prompting the implementation of targeted programs to accelerate progress. The school is committed to improving standards in reading and writing, with recent initiatives showing promise. A consistent phonics teaching approach has been established, and a new mathematics scheme aims to ensure effective planning and delivery.
While there have been improvements in reading and writing standards at the end of key stage two, further work is needed to maintain these gains across the curriculum. The school is addressing high levels of persistent absence through a rigorous attendance strategy, resulting in improved attendance rates.
Moving forward, the school aims to build on early years improvements and enhance reading and writing standards by embedding recent initiatives and providing cross-curricular opportunities. The inspection highlighted the need for continued focus on these areas to ensure all pupils achieve their potential.
