St Michael's Church of England Academy

Overview

St Michael's Church of England Academy is described as a "welcoming and friendly school" where pupils are "kind, thoughtful and respectful." The inspection found that the school delivers a "good" quality of education, with an "ambitious curriculum" and effective support for pupils with special educational needs.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate "exemplary" conduct and are "keen to do their best" in "calm and purposeful" lessons.
• The curriculum is well-designed in most subjects, allowing pupils to "revisit learning regularly" and link knowledge to new concepts.
• Early reading provision is strong, with precise support ensuring pupils who fall behind can "catch up rapidly."
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "progress through the curriculum successfully" thanks to tailored individual plans.
• Personal development is fostered through a PSHE curriculum that promotes "inclusion and tolerance" and understanding of British values.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the school has not identified closely enough the specific knowledge pupils need to learn, preventing some from gaining the necessary depth.
• Assessment approaches in a few foundation subjects are "not fully developed," meaning staff do not always form an accurate picture of pupil learning.

Safeguarding

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