Pupils, staff and governors are celebrating the recent Ofsted Inspection. Following a two-day inspection in October, the academy has achieved ‘Good’ status, lauded across all categories. Inspectors praised the good quality of education, pupil progress and ambitious leadership.

Ofsted inspectors observed that ‘pupils find their learning enjoyable’ and ‘many involve themselves in the wide range of opportunities for learning outside the classroom’. Ofsted also acknowledged the great journey of improvement the school has made and recognised the strong working relationships between pupils and staff.

The inspection found that the leadership team are ambitious for all pupils to achieve as much as possible, both academically and socially and have made positive changes to the curriculum and subject breadth.

The Inspection report highlighted specific areas of strength:

• Primary-aged pupils make good progress in most subjects
• Pupils in the secondary achieve strong examination results
• Leaders are putting a great deal of thought into what pupils should learn in each subject to prepare them for life after school. They focus on what helps pupil learn best
• Teachers have appropriate expertise and plan lessons thoroughly
• The [academy’s] offer is much more than academic or examination subjects. Pupils enjoy a wide range of clubs…. there are many opportunities, at which pupils excel
• Subject specialists teach Year 5 and 6 pupils art, music and design and technology
• Leaders take their responsibilities for the protection and care of pupils very seriously
• [Pupils] welcome the emphasis teachers put on doing well in lessons. They also appreciate the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects
• Pupils are polite and respect other people. Their behaviour is strong.

Headteacher Miranda Baldwin commented: “I would like to praise our pupils, staff and governing body for all that has been achieved at St Matthew Academy over the last few years. Following three years of our best ever examination results that continue to improve and placing us at the top of the league table for the second year in the row, we are delighted that the report has recognised our achievements and progress, and truly captured and reflected the reality of St Matthew Academy. I am delighted to be leading this academy and look forward to continuing on this journey of success within our academy community”.

Chair of Governors Pat Barber added: “On behalf of the governing body I would like to congratulate staff, pupils and families on what has been achieved by this ambitious and hard-working academy. The governing board are thrilled that the high expectations implemented by the Headteacher, senior leaders and staff has been praised and that our young learners flourish within the excellent learning environment. Congratulations”.

We welcome your feedback on what we are doing well and what we could do even better at St Matthew Academy. Parents and carers are encouraged to complete a questionnaire when they attend Parents' Evening or other Academy events however parents and carers can complete Parent View (parentview.ofsted.gov.uk) online at any time.