St Michael Abbey School

Overview: St Michael Abbey School is likely to meet all the independent school standards when it opens, providing a clear and ambitious curriculum for pupils aged 13 to 19, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Strengths:

• The proprietor and school leaders have thought carefully about what they want pupils to learn, with a clear and ambitious curriculum that details their intentions about how pupils will progressively build on their knowledge and understanding over time.

• The curriculum and schemes of work are detailed and well thought out, with plans to employ subject specialists for each subject to help deliver their ambitious curriculum.

• The proposed curriculum is likely to enable pupils to develop their speaking and listening, literacy, numeracy and scientific skills and knowledge.

• The school has developed a suitable plan to ensure that pupils receive impartial careers advice and guidance in key stages 3 and 4.

• The school has set out clearly its expectations of how pupils should behave, with a behaviour policy that specifies clearly the proposed procedures and strategies that staff will employ to help ensure lessons are free from disruptions.

• The personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) provision is underpinned by many policies and strategies designed to meet the needs and interests of pupils, and is likely to reflect the values and ethos of the school.

• The school's relationships and sex education (RSE) curriculum is well organised and age appropriate, with leaders having clearly considered how staff will be trained to have the knowledge and skills they need to teach this effectively.

Areas to improve: The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding: The proprietor's arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare and safety of pupils at the school and boarding provision are likely to be effective, with clear and fit-for-purpose policies in place, and a good understanding of safeguarding issues demonstrated by the leadership team.