Matchborough First School Academy

Overview

Pupils at Matchborough First School Academy are described as "flourishing" within an inclusive community where relationships are positive and pupils feel safe. The school has improved significantly since its previous inspection, now judged as "Good" across all categories, with a strong emphasis on reading, personal development, and supporting pupils with special educational needs.

Strengths

• Staff greet pupils warmly, fostering a calm environment where children behave well and "concentrate well in lessons."
• Reading is central to the curriculum, with renewed training and resourcing leading to "improved progress in reading" and high pupil engagement.
• Early years provision is strong, with staff providing high-quality interactions and a focus on developing "effective language and communication skills."
• The school is highly inclusive, ensuring pupils with SEND are supported through personalised programmes and included in all aspects of school life, such as using sign-supported English in assemblies.
• Parents speak highly of the school, particularly regarding how staff build pupils’ "self-esteem and confidence."

Areas to improve

• Teachers must ensure pupils focus on "key knowledge" in all subjects so they can make connections with prior learning and retain information over time.
• The school needs to improve attendance, as current actions to reduce persistent absence are "not yet fully effective."
• Trustees require clearer understanding of their roles to ensure they can "hold school leaders to account with sufficient rigor."

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."