Leigh Academy Blackheath

Inspection of Leigh Academy Blackheath Old Dover Road, Blackheath, London SE3 8SY

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Inspection dates: 13 and 14 December 2022

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Previous inspection grade Not previously inspected under section 5 of the Education Act 2005 13 and 14 December 2022

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What is it like to attend this school?

Leaders have high expectations of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This extends to academic learning and life outside school. Staff provide pupils with detailed knowledge that prepares them well for their next steps. Pupils engage with the local community, including volunteering at a local food bank.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and safe. Staff get to know pupils well through the school’s college system. This enables pupils from all year groups to interact with each other. Older pupils actively support younger ones. There are always adults available to speak to pupils if they are worried about anything. Bullying is not common here. Where it does happen, leaders take it seriously. They take effective and timely action to stop it.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils behave exceptionally well. Classrooms are calm places where pupils can focus on their learning. Staff create a safe environment where pupils can speak up if they do not understand. Pupils become articulate and confident. They are proud to be part of this school community.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils know the school’s values. These permeate everything they do. Pupils show high levels of respect for each other’s differences. They embrace the extensive opportunities for personal development the school provides.

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better?

Leaders provide a curriculum which matches and far exceeds the ambition of the national curriculum. In English, for example, pupils study plays by Shakespeare. They also read works by his contemporaries Marlowe and Cervantes. This high ambition is the same for pupils with SEND. All pupils access the same curriculum. Staff are well informed about individual pupils’ needs. They make highly effective adaptations to teaching strategies and resources. This helps pupils with SEND to achieve well.

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better?

Leaders have planned well-sequenced curriculums that build pupils’ knowledge and skills. Teachers revisit pupils’ previous learning each lesson. Pupils find this helpful because they can better retain knowledge.

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better?

Teachers are subject experts. They recognise the important knowledge that pupils need to get better in their subject. Across the curriculum, teachers check pupils’ understanding. They adapt lessons to address any misconceptions. Teachers ensure pupils’ knowledge is secure before moving on.

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better?

Across the curriculum, staff give high priority to the development of vocabulary. Teachers have high expectations of pupils’ use of spoken language. They correct pupils’ use of subject-specific vocabulary during lessons. Similarly, leaders recognise the importance of reading. Teachers provide phonics support for pupils who struggle 13 and 14 December 2022

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to decode. They work with pupils whose reading comprehension is weaker. The school encourages pupils to develop a love of reading. Staff check that all pupils read regularly. All pupils take part in the school’s annual literary festival.

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Pupils’ behaviour in class and around the school is superb. They are taught how to be active learners through the ‘Leigh Academy Blackheath learner lesson’. Low-level disruption to lessons is rare. If it happens, teachers use school procedures to ensure pupils’ learning is not interrupted.

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The school offers a broad range of opportunities for personal development. Leaders ensure that all pupils can fully participate in these. Pupils go on visits to the theatre and museums in central London, as well as take part in the annual school production. Pupils enjoy trips abroad such as the ski trip. They participate in a variety of clubs and societies at lunchtime and after school. There is a bespoke offer for pupils with SEND, including a quiet space for them to go to at lunchtime. Pupils with SEND get one-to-one support to prepare them for the next steps. All pupils appreciated a well-planned careers programme. This includes up-to-date labour market information, impartial advice and encounters with employers.

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Staff are proud to work at this school where everyone’s contribution is valued. Leaders provide excellent development opportunities for all staff. They are conscious of staff’s workload and well-being. Knowledgeable governors and trust members support and challenge leaders effectively.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a top priority. Leaders provide regular reminders about safeguarding. All staff share safeguarding concerns, no matter how small, with a knowledgeable safeguarding team. Leaders are aware of their local safeguarding risks. The safeguarding team take swift action to support pupils and their families. They liaise with external agencies and think carefully about the help that individuals need. Staff make regular checks on pupils who may be in need.

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Safeguarding

Pupils are taught how to keep themselves safe. They can speak confidently about a range of safeguarding themes. These include consent and online safety.

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How can I feed back my views?

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

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school. 13 and 14 December 2022

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ refers to those pupils who attract government pupil premium funding: pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years and pupils in care or who left care through adoption or another formal route. 13 and 14 December 2022

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School details

Website www.leighacademyblackheath.org.uk

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School details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this school

 Leigh Academy Blackheath opened as a new free school within Leigh Academies Trust in September 2018. The principal took up her post at the same time.  The school occupied its new building in September 2020.  There are 900 pupils from Years 7 to 11 on roll. In September 2023, the school will open its sixth-form provision.  One registered alternative provision is used for a small number of pupils.  The school meets the requirements of the Baker Clause, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8 to 13 with information about approved technical qualifications and apprenticeships.  Leigh Academy Blackheath is an International Baccalaureate World School. It offers the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. 13 and 14 December 2022

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 This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors met with leaders with responsibility for curriculum, behaviour and attendance, personal development and safeguarding.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in English, history, mathematics and modern foreign languages. They met with subject leaders to discuss the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to pupils and looked at pupils’ work.  Inspectors also considered the curriculum in other subjects.  Inspectors considered the effectiveness of safeguarding, including through discussions with leaders, staff, pupils and governors.  Inspectors considered the views of parents, staff and pupils, including responses to Ofsted’s online surveys.  Inspectors spoke to members of the governing body and senior staff from the

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trust, including the chief executive officer.

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Inspection team

Lisa Strong, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Rebecca Iles-Smith His Majesty’s Inspector 13 and 14 December 2022

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regulates and inspects 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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