The Courtyard Islington

Overview

St Mary Magdalene Academy: The Courtyard continues to be a good school, maintaining high standards since its previous inspection. The report highlights a positive culture where pupils feel safe, supported, and valued, with staff building strong, trusting relationships. Leaders have implemented an ambitious curriculum tailored to pupils’ communication and interaction needs, fostering resilience and independence.

Strengths

• Staff build "positive and trusting relationships" with pupils, checking on their feelings and providing consistent support for emotional regulation.
• The curriculum is "ambitious and broad," with a strong focus on English, mathematics, and personal development, including diverse activities like rowing and drama.
• Leaders identify and address knowledge gaps through careful assessment, ensuring teaching is responsive to pupils’ individual needs.
• There is a "very strong ethos of tolerance and respect," with diversity and inclusion championed at every level.
• Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a "strong culture of safeguarding" and staff who are vigilant and well-trained.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, leaders have not clearly identified the component knowledge pupils need before tackling complex tasks, meaning pupils do not consistently acquire deep knowledge. Leaders should "fine tune the curriculum" to clarify exactly what pupils should learn and remember.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring a strong culture where staff are vigilant, trained, and work closely with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils.