St Margaret's Academy

Overview

The inspection team found that young people demonstrate the school’s values well and benefit from positive, respectful relationships that foster a strong sense of belonging. Staff know pupils well, supporting their wellbeing and helping them access well-planned experiences for positive destinations. While most young people attain well, with particularly strong literacy, the report identifies specific areas for development in leadership planning and assessment practices.

Strengths

• Young people are "strong ambassadors for the school" with a "strong sense of belonging" due to positive relationships.
• Staff knowledge of pupils supports wellbeing and enables access to "well-planned experiences" for confident progression.
• Key staff use data effectively to plan targeted support, leading to "improved outcomes" for those requiring additional help.
• "Most young people attain well," with "literacy attainment is particularly strong across the school."

Areas to improve

• Senior leaders should develop improvement planning processes to ensure "greater alignment across faculties."
• Leaders and staff should develop a "whole school shared understanding of high-quality learning, teaching and assessment."
• Staff should further develop approaches to ensure "all young people are fully supported in their learning."
• Leaders should work with staff to better gather and recognise achievements and skills developed within and outwith school.

Safeguarding

The report states that the evaluation for "Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion" is "good."