Inspectors visited the school at the end of January and, in their report published this week, identified many strengths including teaching, curriculum, standards, leadership and provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
They found that pupils fully reflect the school values of ‘happiness, achieve, respect and teamwork’ in how they conduct themselves. Children 'listen carefully, show determination, and support each other', and leave Year 6 'as knowledgeable and considerate individuals who are well prepared for secondary school'.
The school, in partnership with the Manor Multi Academy Trust, has designed an ambitious curriculum which identifies the important knowledge, skills and vocabulary pupils need to learn in each subject, with achievement in reading 'particularly strong'.
Staff identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) quickly, and work with external specialists to ensure they get the help they require.
Pupils have a 'well developed understanding' of values such as democracy and equality and 'demonstrate a mature understanding' of mental health, benefitting from initiatives that help them to talk about and manage their emotions.
Pupils develop their leadership skills by serving on the junior leadership committee or by taking on the roles of head girl and boy. They can also develop their communication skills by taking part in the ‘Have Hill Got News For You’ project, presenting the latest news and interviewing teachers and classmates, while a range of clubs develop and nurture their musical, artistic and sporting interests.
School leaders, trust leaders and trustees 'make decisions in the best interests of pupils', and benefit from an accurate picture of the school because of 'robust quality assurance systems'. Meanwhile, staff appreciate the strategies in place to reduce their workload, and value professional development opportunities they are given.
Inspectors concluded that Hill Avenue Academy has taken effective action to maintain the Outstanding standards identified at its last inspection in 2019.
Dan Steventon, Head of School, said: "I am very proud to lead this school and I am very proud of what all of our children are achieving."
Manor Multi Academy Trust Chief Executive Officer Hayley Guest and Chief Executive Advisor Anita Cliff added: "We would like to thank all staff and directors for their dedication and hard work over the past few years that has enabled Hill Avenue to continue to be a great school for our children. We are privileged to work with such a talented team.
"We would also like to thank the City of Wolverhampton Council for its commitment to the expansion programme which has not only improved our environment for our children but has enabled more children from our community to be able to attend our school."
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "This is an outstanding report in every respect, and I would like to congratulate everyone at Hill Avenue on their continuing success.
"As a council, we are also delighted to have been able to work closely with Hill Avenue with its expansion plans which means that even more local children can benefit from the outstanding education it provides."
