King’s Academy Northern Parade is a junior school located in Portsmouth, Hampshire, which has recently undergone an inspection on 17 and 18 October 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school has been rated as good, with specific areas such as the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management also receiving good ratings. Notably, personal development has been rated as outstanding. The headteacher, Kathryn Wilden, leads the school, which is part of King’s Group Academies, overseen by CEO Nick Cross and a board of trustees chaired by Ben Williams.
The school environment is described as warm, welcoming, and inclusive, fostering happiness and well-being among pupils. The pastoral care provided is exceptional, with many pupils benefiting from calming activities and support for issues like bereavement and anxiety. Relationships between staff and pupils are strong, with staff demonstrating genuine care for their students. High expectations are set for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they achieve well. However, the school acknowledges that writing achievement is an area needing improvement and is actively working to address this.
Pupils exhibit positive behaviour, collaborating well in various activities. The school effectively manages emotional support for pupils, helping them make safe choices and feel secure. Instances of bullying are taken seriously, with leaders responding robustly to any issues that arise. The school also makes commendable efforts to engage disadvantaged pupils in extracurricular activities, ensuring they have access to trips, clubs, and responsibilities that enhance their educational experience. Pupils demonstrate a strong understanding of equality and celebrate diversity, recognizing that differences make individuals special.
The curriculum is well-structured, with support from the trust to ensure all pupils have access to a broad and ambitious learning program. Subjects are planned with clear objectives, and teachers focus on language development to support pupils' learning. Communication within the school is effective, allowing for the identification of pupils needing additional help. Staff are well-trained in teaching phonics and reading, contributing to pupils becoming confident readers. However, writing remains a priority for improvement, as past results indicated below-average achievement in this area.
While the school has made significant strides in various aspects, there are areas for further development. The teaching of writing has not been sufficiently effective, leading to below-average achievement by the end of Year 6. The school is prioritizing this issue to ensure pupils learn to write accurately and successfully. Additionally, assessment practices in some foundation subjects need to be embedded more effectively, allowing teachers to identify knowledge gaps and inform their teaching accordingly.
Overall, the school has demonstrated significant improvement under the leadership of the new headteacher and the appointed governors. Staff feel supported in their roles, and communication with parents has improved, fostering a positive relationship between the school and families. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school is committed to continuous improvement, focusing on enhancing writing skills and embedding effective assessment practices across all subjects to support pupil learning and achievement.
