Valley Gardens Middle School

Overview

The report describes the school as an "exceptional place to learn" where staff have created a "culture of excellence." Pupils are characterised as "resilient, reflective and confident," achieving highly across a wide range of subjects within a "bold artistic, creative and academic curriculum."

Strengths

• The curriculum is "carefully planned and highly effective," with topics in different subjects complementing each other strongly.
• Staff are "knowledgeable and passionate," teaching with enthusiasm and ensuring pupils, including those with SEND, understand what they have been taught.
• Provision for pupils with SEND is "exceptionally strong," with specially resourced provision that is "highly effective at supporting pupils... academically."
• Pupils share a "passion for reading," reading frequently for pleasure and independently with staff support.
• Personal, social and health education is "precisely tailored to the needs of the pupils," helping them develop a "sense of moral purpose."

Areas to improve

The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

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