Please find below our most recent Ofsted reports and relevant information from the Department for Education Performance Tables. 

Our Recent Ofsted Inspection - 2nd & 3rd November 2022

We are very pleased to be able to share our recent Ofsted Inspection Report with you. Please read the report in full, but we have picked out a few headlines. This was a Section 8 inspection - a short inspection of a school currently judged as ‘Good’ – whose purpose is to determine whether the school continues to provide a good standard of education and that Safeguarding is effective. It is, therefore, an ‘ungraded’ inspection - but if Inspectors have real concerns about a school on day 1 of the inspection it can be converted to a Section 5 graded inspection.

Over the two days in November, evidence was gathered in reading, mathematics, and history, through lesson observations, book looks and talking to both children and subject leaders.

It was found that reading is prioritised throughout the school, subject leads are knowledgeable and have a clear vision, pupils are active learners and children with SEND are identified accurately, included, and have access to the full curriculum. It was noted that there are strong links between the Early Years and the rest of the school and that there was a calm and purposeful atmosphere in lessons.

It was acknowledged that expectations of behaviour are high and occasional bullying is dealt with and handled well. Low level disruption is rare. Safeguarding was found to be effective.

The wider development of pupils means that they have ‘positive attitudes to learning,’ - they are confident, independent, and resilient learners with growth mindsets. Talents are nurtured and pastoral support is strong. Our children understand fundamental British Values and respect diversity and are tolerant of difference. This was said to be a real strength of the school.

Responses from pupils, parents/carers and staff were positive. 91% of respondents to the Parent View survey said they would recommend this school to another parent; 95% said their child was happy at our school; 96% said that this school makes sure its pupils are well behaved and 98% said that their child feels safe at this school. The Ofsted report comments that ‘staff say they feel valued and are proud to work at the school.’

Governors were praised for their hard work and commitment.

We were pleased to have only one area for development, which was that leaders have revised the curriculum and therefore planning in several subjects is new. In a few subjects, pupils’ recall of prior learning is not always secure, but leaders will continue to monitor to ensure it is embedded.

I want to thank all our school community for contributing to such a positive report and for your continuing support. I also want to praise the hard work of our staff team and our volunteer governors who work extremely diligently to monitor and maintain a comprehensive overview of our school. A special mention to Rachel Stringer our Chair of Governors who will sadly be leaving us at the end of this year. She has been such an amazing support for me and the school, since I started at St Michael’s over 5 years ago.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for contributing to a school community which, in Ofsted’s words is ‘inclusive’ and where ‘pupils thrive.’