Medeshamstede Academy

Overview

Medeshamstede Academy is a special academy for pupils with autism, where leaders have driven "significant improvements" since the previous inspection. While behaviour, personal development, and leadership are rated Good, the quality of education Requires improvement due to inconsistencies in teaching and curriculum delivery.

Strengths

• "Warm relationships between staff and pupils" create a "calm and purposeful" environment where pupils are valued as individuals.
• Pupils receive "well-tailored support" for their social and emotional needs, with effective guidance for those requiring extra help with behaviour.
• Attendance has improved, with the school following up quickly if pupils miss school and providing "extremely helpful advice and support".
• The curriculum is well-adapted for pupils with education, health and care plans, and staff are "well trained" to teach phonics effectively.
• Pupils benefit from a "well-considered" PSHE curriculum and useful careers information, including work experience and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Areas to improve

• The teaching of the curriculum is not delivered consistently well; the school must ensure staff have the subject knowledge to deliver it effectively to all pupils.
• Assessment information is not always used effectively to design learning activities; the school should use data to adapt the curriculum to meet individual pupil needs.

Safeguarding

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