Ark Blacklands Primary Academy

Inspection of an outstanding school: Ark Blacklands Primary Academy Osborne Close, Freshwater Avenue, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 2HU

p.1

Outcome

Ark Blacklands Primary Academy continues to be an outstanding school.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Ark Blacklands Primary has a culture of high expectations and tenacity. Staff share leaders’ determination to empower pupils at this school to succeed. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), flourish academically and socially due to the excellent standard of education they receive.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils’ behaviour is exceptional. They diligently follow the school’s rules of ‘right place, right time, right thing’. Pupils understand that some of their peers may need a slightly different approach, and respect this deeply. They are kind, considerate and keen to help. For example, older pupils enjoy helping younger peers. Bullying is not tolerated and is rare. Adults deal with any unkindness swiftly.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils relish all the school has to offer. They enjoy a wealth of carefully planned experiences, such as visits to the National History Museum, that deepen their knowledge further. There is an abundance of opportunities for pupils to develop talents and interests in the arts, music and sports. Participation in extra-curricular activities is high.

p.1

What is it like to attend this school?

Parents are overwhelming in their praise for the work of the school. One parent summed up the views of many, stating that their children’s development ‘both academic and personal, has been astounding’.

p.1

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Leaders have designed a rich and ambitious curriculum that has pupils’ needs at its heart. Attention to detail is central to the school’s success. Leaders at all levels ensure there is clarity about what is taught from early years onwards. Learning is carefully broken down into well-organised chunks so that all pupils build their knowledge logically and achieve remarkably well.

p.1

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The personal development curriculum is exemplary. Staff share leaders’ resolve to ensure pupils have the social skills to succeed. Across the curriculum, leaders carefully plan wider 7 and 8 March 2023

p.1

2

opportunities to build on pupils’ understanding. Character development is thoughtfully woven through the curriculum. Pupils learn ‘habits of success’ which include resilience and curiosity. They proudly take on a number of responsibilities across the school. For example, digital leaders support younger pupils in computing lessons and promote e- safety messages.

p.2

2

Pupils speak confidently about the importance of healthy relationships and treating others with kindness. They support causes important to them such as St Michael’s Hospice. Pupils enjoy being taught about different religious traditions and the lives and experiences of diverse groups of people. They learn about rights and responsibilities. Pupils have a voice and actively support leaders to make positive changes. For example, the elected ‘pupil council’ is currently working with leaders to review the rewards system.

p.2

2

Leaders’ use of assessment is highly effective. They ensure pupils with additional needs, including those with SEND, are accurately identified and provided with tailored support. Teachers receive high-quality training to confidently deliver the curriculum. They question pupils skilfully to check what they know and have remembered. Teachers quickly change their plans to address any misconceptions and gaps in learning. They carefully consider what resources and materials are appropriate for their teaching. For example, in mathematics, teachers use practical resources well to secure pupils’ understanding of the calculation skills.

p.2

2

Pupils are confident, fluent readers who appreciate books and read widely. Daily story time is a joy for pupils. Across the school, pupils eagerly listen to the stories the teachers bring to life. Pupils talk with great enthusiasm of their love for reading and the books they have read. Well-trained staff expertly teach phonics. The teaching of reading begins as soon as pupils start school in Reception. They read books matched exactly to the sounds they know. Struggling readers, requiring support, get the help they need to catch up in daily interventions.

p.2

2

Pupils have highly positive attitudes to learning. This begins in the early years where the provision is exceptional. Leaders have developed an engaging curriculum and, as a result, children are extremely motivated. Across the school, pupils are focused and attentive in class. Leaders inspire them to be aspirational through planned trips to universities and visits from speakers employed in several sectors. As a result, pupils value education and the potential opportunities it provides them.

p.2

2

The trust and governors provide effective support and challenge for leaders. They check regularly on aspects of the school’s work. Their self-evaluation of the school is accurate. Staff appreciate leaders’ consideration of their workload and well-being. They are proud to work at this school. 7 and 8 March 2023

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Pupils learn about how to keep safe through the curriculum, including online. They learn important safety messages from visits from the members of the emergency services. Pupils can all identify a trusted adult to share any worries with.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders have created a strong culture of safeguarding. Trustees have a clear oversight. They ensure that staff have the training they need to recognise the signs that indicate a pupil needs help and support. Staff record concerns and leaders act on these swiftly. They make referrals to the local authority as necessary. Leaders work well with other agencies and, where appropriate, challenge them to achieve the best outcome for the family.

p.3

Background

When we have judged a school to be outstanding, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains outstanding. This is called an ungraded inspection and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act. Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

p.3

Background

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be in November 2016.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

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.

p.3

How can I feed back my views?

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

p.3

Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

p.3

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. 7 and 8 March 2023

p.3

School details

Inspection number 10240568 Type of school Primary

p.4

School details

Date of previous inspection 1 and 2 November 2016, under section 5 of the Education Act 2005

p.4

Information about this school

 Ark Blacklands Primary Academy is an above-average-sized school.  The school is part of the Ark multi-academy trust.  The school runs a before- and after-school club on site.  Currently, the school does not use alternative providers.

p.4

Information about this inspection

 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 the headteacher and other senior leaders. They also met with members of the governing body.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: early reading, mathematics, geography and computing. For each deep dive, inspectors discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work. 7 and 8 March 2023

p.4

5

 During the inspection, inspectors considered responses to the pupil survey. They met with a range of pupils to discuss their views about the school and talked to them informally during social times.  To inspect safeguarding, inspectors scrutinised a wide range of information, including a selection of the school’s records. Inspectors spoke to staff and pupils about safeguarding and looked at how pupils learn to keep themselves safe. Inspectors spoke to the safeguarding leader about the recording and reporting of safeguarding incidents.  Inspectors met some parents to gain their views of the school. They reviewed the responses to Ofsted’s online survey, Parent View. They also took account of staff responses to Ofsted’s online questionnaire.

p.5

Inspection team

Laura James, lead inspector His Majesty's Inspector

p.5

Inspection team

Catherine Hylands Ofsted Inspector 7 and 8 March 2023

p.5

6

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.

p.6

6

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

6

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

6

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

6

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6