Orchards Church of England Academy, located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, was inspected on July 5 and 6, 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with the quality of education also marked as requiring improvement. However, the school demonstrated good performance in areas such as behavior and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.
The school fosters an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, contributing to a harmonious community. Pupils express happiness and self-esteem, particularly through personal, social, health, and economic education. However, historically, expectations for pupil achievement have not been sufficiently high, leading to gaps in learning that some pupils are currently addressing. Despite this, pupils generally exhibit calm and orderly behavior, understanding the behavior system and experiencing minimal disruption during lessons.
Pupils benefit from a variety of enriching experiences beyond the local area, including trips and visits that broaden their horizons. Recent activities included a beach visit and an opportunity to meet a former education minister, enhancing their educational experience. The school has implemented necessary plans for improvement, recognizing the need for all pupils to achieve well. A high-quality curriculum is in place, designed to build knowledge and skills over time, and staff have received training to effectively deliver this curriculum.
Despite these strengths, there are areas for improvement. Teachers do not consistently utilize assessment information to tailor their teaching to meet the diverse needs of pupils, which can lead to confusion and hinder achievement. In the early years foundation stage, however, provision is more effectively matched to pupils' needs, allowing for better outcomes. The school has recognized the shortcomings of previous reading instruction methods and has introduced a new phonics approach, ensuring staff are trained to teach decoding and blending effectively. This has resulted in improved reading progress among younger pupils.
The introduction of a reading canon aims to cultivate a love of reading, exposing pupils to a range of high-quality texts, including works by Shakespeare. This initiative is helping to develop confident and fluent readers. The learning environment is generally calm, with clear behavior expectations established by leaders. However, the enthusiasm for learning varies across the school, influenced by inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and subject knowledge among teachers.
Pupils also engage in a comprehensive program of personal development, reinforcing British values through PSHE education and assemblies. Outdoor learning experiences further support the development of independence and problem-solving skills. The school effectively identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, but there is inconsistency in how teachers adapt their teaching to support these pupils, which can impact their learning.
Leadership at the school is strong, with efforts to enhance engagement with parents and the community. The trust collaborates closely with the governing body and school leaders to drive improvement, particularly in curriculum planning and behavior standards. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a culture established that encourages pupils to report concerns. Staff are well-trained in safeguarding procedures, and appropriate checks are conducted for staff recruitment.
In summary, while Orchards Church of England Academy has made strides in several areas, it must address the need for consistent use of assessment information, adapt teaching for pupils with special educational needs, and ensure all teachers possess the necessary subject knowledge to deliver the curriculum effectively. These improvements are essential for enhancing pupil achievement and overall school performance.
