Shepherdswell Academy

Overview

Shepherdswell Academy is described as a “small, nurturing school” where “pupils are thriving” and embody core values of “collaboration, community courage, curiosity and creativity.” The report highlights a “joyful and positive approach to learning” supported by staff who prioritise pupils’ emotional needs and academic development. Overall effectiveness is judged as ‘Good’, with ‘Outstanding’ personal development.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “exceptional” knowledge of other cultures, faiths and religions, treating each other with “tolerance, kindness and respect.”
• The curriculum is “detailed and ambitious,” with knowledge broken into small steps to support all learners, including those with special educational needs.
• Reading is highly prioritised, resulting in pupils becoming “confident and fluent readers” through systematic progress checks and rapid support.
• The school environment is “calm and orderly,” with well-embedded routines and rare disruptions to learning.
• Staff provide “interesting ways for pupils to learn,” keeping them motivated and proud of their work.

Areas to improve

• The strong curriculum implementation seen in some subjects is not yet consistent across the full breadth of the curriculum, meaning pupils do not yet achieve as well as they could in every area. Leaders should continue supporting staff to embed the curriculum securely in every subject.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”