WALWORTH ACADEMY SEF 2013-2014 (Sept 2014)

SEF SUMMARY 11th September 2014

Achievement Quality of Teaching Behaviour and Safety Quality of Leadership & Management

Current Judgement: 2 Current Judgement: 2 Current Judgement: 2 Current Judgement: 2

Evidence for judgement Evidence for judgement Evidence for judgement Evidence for judgement
• In 2014 62% of pupils achieved July 2014: The quality of teaching across ‘Pupils’ behaviour continues to be very • Outstanding leadership from the principal
both English and Maths A*-C the Academy is usually good with some good… engagement in lessons is a setting the strategic direction for the academy.
and made exceptional progress: examples of outstanding teaching strength… instances of misbehaviour are • Leaders who ‘walk the talk’.
English continue to be in line (particularly in English and Maths). rare… behaviour around the academy is • Very strong pastoral leadership resulting in
with expected rates of progress also very good, including in corridors, the students who feel valued and safe in the
whilst maths exceeds these % % good % less playground and at lunch time. Transitions academy despite facing significant challenges in
expectations. outstanding than are smooth and take place without a waste the local community.
• Progress, attainment and value 2a/b 2c good of time. The academy is now placing more
• Improved performance appraisal processes for
added have been consistently 14% 62% 15% 9% focus on pupils taking responsibility for
all staff strategically aligned to the academy
strong in English and Maths as a managing their own behaviour.’ ARK
priorities.
3 year average. • Pupils make good or better progress Monitoring Visit 2014
• Outstanding support and challenge from both
• Students with statements made from their starting points and this is • Strong pastoral leadership and the the governing body and the sponsors ARK.
very good progress and attain now better evidenced in the written implementation of the new behaviour
• Over the last 18 months we have transformed
above national levels for similar outcomes from lessons. for learning policy has resulted in a
our curriculum from a predominantly BTEC
groups. • Teachers have high expectations for significant reduction in behaviour
offer to an academic GCSE curriculum.
• Attainment of pupil premium and positive relationships with incidents.
• Students feel safe and well cared for • During the last year we have transformed our
students remains above national students; they know students well
6th provision and ethos to ensure more students
averages. and meet their needs accordingly. and have very positive relationships
gain the right currency to access university.
• Progress at KS3 is particularly • Our comprehensive and with staff.
strong. personalised CPD programme has • Provision for our most vulnerable
• 6th Form progression to university supported significant improvement pupils is a particular strength.
is improving: Yr 13 3 A levels incl in the quality of teaching.
equivalences is 72%.
97% of year 13 gained university
places.
Key areas for development Key areas for development Key areas for development Key areas for development
• Science to achieve over 70% A*- • 100% good or better teaching, and • Continue to improve students’ • 100% consistency in middle leaders’ impact in
C and targeted foundation 0ver 20% outstanding. self-management: call outs reduced by delivering the Academy’s priorities.
subjects to achieve at least 70%. • Over 80% of students to achieve 3 40%. • Continue to close the gap, particularly for pupil
• Increase the percentage of sub level progression in each year. • Embed our B4L policy: 20% reduction premium students, WBRI, high achievers and
students achieving A and A* by in behaviour log negative incidents. boys.
8% on 2015.
• ALPS T score in top 5 percentile.
 WALWORTH ACADEMY: SELF-EVALUATION (Sept 2014 draft 6)

About Walworth Academy – ‘No Excuses’

Walworth Family CARES: Commitment to learning, Aspirational, Resilient, Excellence, Self-Management – these are our values.
Before ARK, Walworth School was significantly underperforming. Walworth Academy opened in 2007 and moved into its buildings in January 2010. In 2010 Ofsted rated
Walworth Academy as being “a good school with outstanding capacity to improve” in its first full inspection of the school since it opened as an academy in September 2007. The 6th
Form opened in September 2010. The new Principal, Yvonne Powell, joined in January 2013 and whilst building on the Academy’s success, some significant restructuring has taken
place in the drive to provide outstanding learning.

The academy serves children of all abilities and has no religious affiliations and (apart from ARK Globe Academy) is the only Southwark secondary school that does not operate a
banding system. Over 60% of our students live on the Ayelsbury Estate and our intake is from over 27 primary schools.

• Gun and knife crime, drugs and a gang culture are inherent to our students’ experiences. Walworth Academy is for many, an oasis of safety, calm and exceedingly high
expectations, whatever their struggle: school deprivation factor is 0.42 vs the national figure of 0.22.

• Our students and their families experience extremely high levels of deprivation, overcrowded housing and increasing cases of homelessness.

• In 2012, the Estate’s unemployment rate stood at 16%, compared to the Borough average of 11%.

We are proud of the richness and the diversity of our family:

• 43% Black or Black British
• 20% White British
• 10% Mixed
• 38% SEND, 1.9% SA+
• 42% EAL
• 65% boys
• 63% Pupil Premium
• 7 CLA, 46 students classified as extremely vulnerable.
• Attendance is 95.75 and our PA is now 4.8.

Our intake is significantly below the national average and yet our students achieve broadly in line with national attainment at 5+A*-C including English and maths. We exceed
national rates of progress in English and maths.

Staffing: 8 NQTs, 3 Schools Direct, 8 supply for long term absence or vacancies.
We are a happy, aspirant, safe and hardworking Academy. We are relentless in our drive to provide the best outcomes and opportunities for our students, who deserve
nothing less.

Achievement
Good (2) Evidence
Evidence
Achievement of pupils is good; despite low KS2 baseline data students make excellent progress and attain well in both English and Maths. Our RoL contains
some inaccuracies which are being addressed though most of the data is in line with the schools own analysis.

• 62% of pupils achieved both English and Maths A*-C in 2014 (* awaiting remarks) See data file
• Pupils make good progress in line with national averages: in 2014 67% made at least 3 levels progress in English and 72% in Maths
• Science is now more in line with English results at 63% A*-C 2014 from 48% 2013. Targeted underperforming foundations subjects have all made
significant improvement, e.g. Art 4.8% 2013 to 77% 2014.
• Attainment, progress and value added in Maths has been outstanding for the last 4 year. Even with a significant drop in English results, they are still above
national average for A*-C at 65% vs 62%.
• Improvements in student progress across KS3 compared to previous years is outstanding. The overall rates of progress for end of yr 9 2014 is 5.9 sub
levels in English and 6.2 in maths.
• The rates of progress in English over the this last year for year 7 in English are 2.5 sub levels and 2.2 sub levels for maths.
• The impact of our Literacy catch up programme is extremely positive, for example, of the year 9 Literacy students (72) still on the programme, 83% have
made 3+ sub level progression 2013-2014. Pupil
• As a result of increased rigour and focus we have significantly closed the PP vs on PP gap from 15% to 7% as well as closing the WBRI gap. We must premium data
now reduce the gender gap, especially in English. sheet
• Students identified with disabilities or statements have a well-established trend of making strong progress and their attainment at the end of KS4 is above
national average for similar groups.

Where underachievement persists we are tackling the root causes:

• The dip in the English results is being contested –see letter OCR. However, rigorous exam and question analysis is in place with an external consultant See Staffing
checking the SOL to ensure all weak aspects are being addressed. The planning of the writing and extended writing is the main area for improvement. for Success
• Targeted foundation subjects are still closely monitored by ARK consultants to ensure further progression in next year’s results.
See CPD file
• Our support for developing middle leaders through strong line management, focused data tracking and CPD (NPQML programme) has supported HODs
and SLT /
in tackling underachievement.
line Mgt
• In current year 11, 92% of high achievers are on track in all subjects. minutes
• In our current Y11 cohort 90% are studying at least 8 GCSE’s compared to 69% in 2013 and just 43% in 2012; this reflects our determination to improve
our best 8 results and ensure that all students leave Walworth Academy equipped for success post 16. WBRI
• Extended writing is being increased and improved across all subjects with an emphasis on the boy’s writing. This is led by Val McGregor, intervention
Consultant/DFE. plan

Key areas for development

• Improve writing attainment in English and consolidate improvements made in foundation subjects
 • Increase the percentage of students achieving A and A*
• Develop the use of talk to enable better quality writing.

Teaching and learning

Good (2) Evidence
Evidence Lesson ob
March 2014: The quality of teaching across the Academy is usually good with some examples of outstanding teaching (particularly in English and Maths). records/ARK
monitoring
% % secure % less % RI % reports.
outstanding good secure inadequate
1 2 good 2C 3 4
14 62 15 8 1

75% good or better is for known observations whereas unannounced observations is 72% good or better. Teaching has improved from December 53% good
+ (Dec 2012) to 75% Good+ , June 2014 - ARK Monitoring Visit – Miriam Rosen.

‘In the very best lessons, teachers ask questions that are progressively more challenging to students’ thinking. They challenge students to think for themselves. In
most lessons, questioning is used well to encourage students to extend and justify their answers’.

• English and Maths teaching is consistently good with many examples of outstanding practice
• Pupils make good or better progress from their starting points and this is now better evidenced in the written outcomes from lessons
CPD record
• Teachers have high expectations for and positive relationships with students; they know students well and meet their needs accordingly.
2013-14
We have achieved this improvement and continue to tackle under performance where it exists through:
CPD and
• The development of our coaching model based on the leverage leadership observation and feedback model progression
• The launch of our ‘good to great’ programme documents
• Regular on-going subject specific support from ARK network leads for English, Maths, Science and inclusion
• All INSET and staff meetings now have a teaching and learning focus EXTERNAL
• All teaching staff now have a timetabled CPD session where they co-plan and share best practice consultant
• Middle leadership development through the ARK/Future Leader NPQML programme (OFSTED)
• Appraisal and threshold progression is directly dependent on the quality and impact of each teacher’s performance. feedback
Our own internal moderation of the quality of teaching and learning has moderated by the ARK monitoring visits (joint observations) and training for senior
leaders from OFSTED inspectors.
Key areas for development
• Remove inconsistencies in departments, particularly MFL and embed greater consistency in new departments: science and maths.
• In a minority of lessons students are still too dependent on teacher direction and need further opportunities to develop their independence and self-
reliance; TALK is a teaching and learning priority for all teachers this year.
• Although moderation shows that more homework is set at a higher standard we need greater consistency in how students record their homework and
 ensuring that students respond to written feedback.
• Embed the practice and impact of the 6 new HODs.

Behaviour and Safety

Good (2) Evidence
Evidence
We consider ourselves a family; expect the most from one another and support each other at all times. Behaviour at the Academy is good despite the serious Monitoring
challenges student experience in the local community (two fatal stabbings involving Walworth students in 2012). Our students’ resilience is outstanding! Students reports
regularly feedback that they feel valued, safe and supported at school (96% say they feel safe at school whilst the time they feel most unsafe is travelling to and Student voice
from the academy); SLT and other dedicated staff have a visible presence at all times and our safeguarding systems are strong; our recent audit highlighted areas for feedback
improvement that have already been implemented, e.g., the increased opportunity and culture in which students feel confident to ‘Tell Us’. Safeguarding
report
‘Pupils’ behaviour continues to be very good… engagement in lessons is a strength… instances of misbehaviour are rare… behaviour around the academy is also
very good, including in corridors, the playground and at lunch time. Transitions are smooth and take place without a waste of time. The academy is now placing
more focus on pupils taking responsibility for managing their own behaviour.’ ARK Monitoring Visit 2014 Behaviour /
attendance file
Our focus this year on self-management has seen some significant improvements:
• The use of call out over the last term has seen a significant reduction
• We have been able to reduce the number of internal inclusion units from two to one
• Learning walks show a significant improvement in the % of students ‘ready for learning’
• Incidents of aggression and fighting have reduced considerably
• Fixed term exclusions remain below national averages.
• We have embedded our praise culture to reinforce our culture of high expectations
• Attendance has significantly improved since the last inspection and is now in line or exceeding national expectations: 95.3% 2013- 2014, 5.4% PA.

We have achieved this through:

• Our strong pastoral leadership structure
• The implementation of new behaviour for learning policy: a relentless focus on the right behaviours for better learning and students’ self management
• We have introduced Saturday detentions to support our drive to further reduce the number of fixed term exclusions
• We have doubled our counselling provision (working with ‘The Place to Be) to provide additional emotional support to our most vulnerable pupils
• Regular monitoring and external monitoring by Ofsted trained consultants ensures our safeguarding practices are embedded.
Key areas for development
• To embed our focus on student ‘self management’ we have devised and launched a new behaviour for learning policy; we continue to develop the impact
of this through staff cpd and evaluation from learning walks
• We want to move from 87% ‘ready for learning’ to 100% we will achieve this by sustaining high expectations and continually improving student self
management.
• We are very aware of our gender imbalance and are particularly keen to address the needs of girls at risk of being drawn into gang activity
• We are keen to further develop our assembly programme to reflect the wide range of cultures represented in our school
• We are developing an accredited sixth form enrichment programme and would like to look at how we can further embed careers guidance and further and
higher education advice further down in the school.
 Leadership & Management
Good (2) Evidence
Evidence
“The new principal has made an excellent start. She has identified priorities for improvement and is moving at a good pace to bring about improvements where needed. She is focused ARK Monitoring
on what matters most and is showing energy and determination as she builds on the good legacy left by the previous principal”. (ARK monitoring visit March 2013). The new visits
Principal was an NLE prior to starting at Walworth Academy with an outstanding track record of school improvement including two previous outstanding
OFSTED judgements.

Since her arrival the Principal has: ADP

• Ensured a strategic focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning and a transformation in staff attitudes so that there is a genuine ‘open
door’ policy now and staff are open and actively seeking further development opportunities See sixth form
• Led a transformation of provision post 16 SEF
• Implemented a new curriculum model ensuring all students have essential life currency when they leave Walworth and maximise their chances of Curriculum model
securing 8+ GCSEs at B or above and led a significant move away from BTECs and securing GCSE qualifications. overview
Performance
• Led a restructure of the senior leadership team; made a number of significant new appointments and personally led senior leadership training and
appraisal overview
development.
monitoring
• Ensured a consistent and robust approach to performance appraisal and restricted threshold progression where performance is lacking calendar
• Introduced a calendar of moderation and monitoring activity to check the academy’s progress against its own priorities and both celebrate success and
tackle underachievement where it is identified.
Revised Behaviour
Leaders at all levels model consistently good practice, are high profile and ensure that the vision for the academy is clearly articulated, shared and understood for Learning
by all stake holders – they ‘walk the talk’. policy
Pastoral leadership is a real strength of the academy and this is evidenced through the positive relationships between adults and students and their parents as
well as the improving behaviour and attendance data and the outcomes for our most vulnerable pupils. Pastoral leadership has:
• Increased the regularity of parents evenings and set up a Parents representative group Vulnerable pupil
• Implemented our new behaviour for learning policy case studies
• Carefully tracked the progress and achievement of the small number of pupils who are educated off site – now only 5.
• Developed excellent practices around how we work with our most vulnerable pupils and their families.
Performance
Subject leadership has improved significantly, although inconsistencies remain. Where subject leadership has improved this is the result of: appraisal overview
• Tighter performance appraisal processes coupled with a clearer focus on teaching and learning priorities and student outcomes
HOD 5 year plans
• An increase in middle leadership accountability particularly around student outcomes; with half termly detailed review of data and on-going tracking;
HOD produced 5 year curriculum overview and subject improvement plans
CPD record
• Middle leaders leading a review of all schemes of learning to ensure greater challenge and progress in lessons.
• Middle leadership participation in the NPQML programme and on-going support from ARK central education team.

The governing body, a group of highly skilled and committed individuals provide very effective challenge and support to the school. They are tenacious in LGB
holding the Principal and other leaders to account, and ensure that performance and r e w a r d are closely aligned. T h e Chair of Governors working minutes/Principals
relationship with the new Principal is very strong, purposeful and focused on achieving outstanding t e a c h i n g and learning. PM targets
The governing body ensures that resources are extremely well used for the benefit of students, including the high proportion eligible for the pupil premium.
They review statutory policies and ensure that all requirements are met, including those relating to safety of students.
Key areas for development
• Tackle inconsistency in subject leadership where it continues through individualised CPD and tight line management
• Consolidate the new pastoral and SLT structure and increases the distribution of leadership and whole school accountability of the Assistant
Principals.

The effectiveness of the sixth form Evidence

Good (2)
Evidence
Walworth 6th Form has had a radical overhaul and now provides an academic route for students with appropriate and high university currency. With a reduced 6th Form SEF
course offer the progress of current year 12 and year 13 is significantly better than previous years. External
• External Ofsted Consultant report recognises and praises the significant improvements in the 6th form provision. Consultant
• Our entry criteria is appropriate to the 3 pathways and is adhered to. Report
• Teaching in the 6th Form is at least good.
ARK monitoring
• 2014 results:3 A levels including equivalences is 72% - an increase of over 6% on 2013.
• Retention has greatly improved: 97% year 12 t o13 and 90% year 13.
• AS A*-C increased by 5% to 30% , 2014.
• The quality of the KS5 PSHE programme is of a high quality and sustains the explicit teaching of SMSC. 6th Form SEF
• The enrichment programme is of a high quality and provides exceptional opportunities for our students.
• 7 students from Walworth 6th Form won ARK bursaries in April 2014, (our highest number yet), with one bursary totalling for £30,000.
• We are predicting 0 NEET.
• 97 % have year 13 have secured university offers. 30% have secured offers from Russell Group and 1994 Group Universities – 2014.

The significant improvements have been achieved through:

• A change in the leadership and restructuring the team
• Higher expectations of all students that is sustained, e.g., attendance in year 12 is over 95% compared to last year’s year 12 equivalent of below 90%.
• Earlier and greater preparation and planning for UCAS.
• High quality and personalised transition programme.
• Rigorous monitoring informing clear focused strategic planning.
Key areas for development
• Begin preparation for Walworth 6th Form in year 9.
• Increase the value added in A2 results 2015.
• Implement the pilot Apprenticeship Internship programme as of September 2014.
 Overall effectiveness, including the promotion of the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development Evidence
Good (2)
Evidence
Walworth family and our values are inherent to promoting SMSC. We are clear which aspects of SMSC are priorities for our students over the next 3 years, as a
result of a very wide and broad consultation with all stakeholders. PSHE
• Each term we explicitly teach, re-enforce and celebrate one of our values programme
• Our PSHE is delivered through our tutor programme and addresses the needs of our students as well as providing more time for self-reflection and
planning. This is monitored each term by the Vice Principals.
• Moments of reflection and consideration are inherent to our assemblies and particular events. Assembly rota /
themes
• Our students’ sense of kindness and giving is outstanding: they raised over £1400 to support the family of a student who was killed, over 1,000 cans of
food were provided for local food banks.
Behaviour File
• Students manage conflict by talking and listening: incidents of aggression and fighting are very rare.
• Students are caring and thoughtful of others and we explicitly promote these values, e.g., through ‘Act of Kindness Week’. Year group event
• Students are being exposed to a range of different contexts: university, leading and supporting community events, work experience, meeting and list
challenging politicians, regular and daily introduction to visitors in and around the academy.
• Incidents of racism are minimal but firmly challenged. We still need to give a higher profile to significant cultural days and events. DLW
• Students demonstrate courtesy and kindness in their day to day interactions: ‘Pupils are polite and welcoming to visitors’ ARK 2014 Programme and
• Deep Learning Weeks expose and deepen the students’ experience of the arts and creativity with excellent outcomes. student feedback.

Key areas for development

• Continue to increase the profile and celebration of cultural and religious events.
• Create and implement greater opportunity for students to debate political issues.