The Academy School

Inspection of The Academy School 2 Pilgrims Place, Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, London NW3 1NG

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Does the school meet the independent school standards?

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils told us that they love coming to school and said it feels like being in a happy family. They enjoy learning and said that teachers challenge everyone to do their very best.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Relationships across the school are excellent. Pupils are inquisitive and have a thirst for learning. Their behaviour is exemplary, and they cannot recall any incidents of bullying. They know that they can share any concerns with a trusting adult and will get the help that they need. They feel safe and secure.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have very high expectations for all pupils. They make sure that pupils gain a deep knowledge and understanding across the subjects studied. Teachers motivate pupils to think deeply and critically.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy participating in a range of enrichment activities. These enhance and nurture their skills and interests. Staff are adept at supporting pupils to develop their individual talents further and beyond the school. This includes performing on stage and playing in international sporting events.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Parents and carers are unanimous in their praise for the school. They told us that their children thrive. They appreciate how well the school prepares their children for the future. This is because pupils achieve excellence in their academic studies and character development.

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better?

The four proprietors have created a shared ethos of care and aspiration for excellence in all aspects of school life. There is a great sense of teamwork among staff and with the pupils. Staff and pupils say that leaders value them and take care of their well-being. The school is a happy place to learn and work, and morale is high.

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better?

Teachers have great expertise in their subjects and teach with huge passion. This is infectious and makes pupils curious and inquisitive. Leaders and teachers plan the curriculum carefully. Pupils build on their learning in a logical way. Teachers are adept at responding to pupils’ academic interests. They help them to make links across different areas of learning. For instance, in geography, pupils learned about rivers. They linked this to discussing the impact of climate change on flooding. Pupils who fall behind benefit from effective and timely support so that their individual needs are met. They catch up quickly with their peers. Pupils stretch their minds and achieve highly in all subjects.

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better?

Leaders give high priority to developing pupils’ reading skills. Staff ensure that pupils read a range of texts that are suited to their abilities. Pupils read at school and at home every day. They are never without a book to read. Pupils keep a spare book in their bags for when they finish their current reading, and teachers give them a 26–28 November 2019

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reading list for the holidays. As they move up the school, they become avid readers. They gain strong comprehension skills and acquire a range of vocabulary. Pupils thus develop a love for reading and books. Pupils in Year 6 write and publish their own novels.

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Pupils are attentive and motivated, and are rarely distracted from learning. They have excellent social skills. Attendance is high. They are considerate, respectful and care for each other. They make pupils joining the school feel very welcome.

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Pupils’ personal development is superb. They develop resilience, confidence and become increasingly independent. Pupils embrace what the school has to offer. For example, they can play in the orchestra, sing in the choir, play chess or learn karate. They raise funds for various charities. In addition, pupils get involved in local community projects such as for helping the homeless. They benefit from regular physical exercise. Many compete in sporting tournaments. High-quality pastoral care supports pupils’ mental and emotional well-being. All pupils take part and collaborate in the school’s annual musical production. Through this they develop musical, dancing, drama, design and building, and presentation skills.

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The proprietors make sure that the school consistently meets the independent school standards. The school complies with schedule 10 of the Equality Act 2010. Leaders make sure that the quality of the curriculum, careers education and provision for effective social, moral, spiritual and cultural development are of a constantly high standard. This means that the school prepares pupils well for the next stages of their education and life in modern Britain.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff know the pupils well and are vigilant in supporting their safety. They receive up-to-date training and know how to report any concerns they may have. The proprietors carry out all the proper checks on adults who work at the school. They keep the site safe and secure, and in a good state of repair.

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Safeguarding

Staff and visitors teach pupils about risk. Pupils thus learn how to the keep themselves safe in different situations, such as when using the internet. Leaders work well with external agencies to support any pupils who need extra help.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use Ofsted Parent View information when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection. 26–28 November 2019

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The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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If you’re not happy with the inspection or the report, you can complain to Ofsted . 26–28 November 2019

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School details

Inspection number 10115237 Type of school Other independent school

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School details

Proprietor Academy School (Hampstead) LLP

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School details

Email address office@academyhampstead.com

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School details

Date of previous inspection 17–19 January 2017

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Information about this school

 The last standard inspection took place in January 2017. The school’s overall effectiveness was judged as outstanding.  The school does not use any alternative provision.

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Information about this inspection

We carried out this inspection under section 109(1) and (2) of the Education and Skills Act 2008. The purpose of the inspection is to advise the Secretary of State for Education about the school’s suitability for continued registration as an independent school. 26–28 November 2019

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The school meets the independent school standards. These are the requirements set out in the schedule to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014.

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 During the inspection, we looked in detail at reading, mathematics, art and science. This involved discussions with leaders and teachers, visits to lessons, looking at examples of pupils’ work, and discussions with pupils. We also considered other subjects as part of the inspection.  We spoke with the four proprietors, including the headteacher, and had a telephone conversation with the special educational needs coordinator.  All of the above activities contributed to our review of safeguarding. In addition, we reviewed a range of documentation, including that relating to safeguarding and the checks carried out during the appointment of staff. We also looked at records of pupils’ attendance.  We considered the views of pupils, staff and parents about the school.  We scrutinised a range of documentary information in order to check on the statutory requirements of the independent school standards.

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Inspection team

David Radomsky, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector

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Inspection team

David Davies Ofsted Inspector 26–28 November 2019

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to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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