Staff and students at THE ACADEMY ST JAMES are celebrating A WONDERFUL OFSTED inspection after inspectors judged the school good overall with outstanding leadership and management, following a two-day Section 5 Inspection in May 2022.
The report praised every area of school, noting improvements in both the quality of education being delivered and the strength of the leadership and management of the Academy. All other areas within the school remained strongly good, with inspectors commenting on the passion, pride and enthusiasm of staff and students.
Of particular note, inspectors highlighted the positive and happy learning environment the Academy offered for their students, noting “Pupils and staff have a spring in their step at this school. They enjoy being part of a school community that cares for each other. As one pupil told an inspector ‘This school is a happy place’. The school community is motivated by the school slogan, ‘aspire, achieve, believe’.
This strong OFSTED inspection is another massive step forward for the Academy at St James. The school was given a special measures judgement in 2017 and has been transformed in the last 5 years to become the happy and successful school inspectors visited in 2022. OFSTED recognised “Leaders and staff are proud of the school. They are focused on creating an exciting and stimulating education for all. Leaders realise the importance of providing clear direction”. Subject leaders were described as “passionate and enthusiastic”, and governors were credited for being “extremely knowledgeable and knowing the school well”. The improved OFSTED was clearly a team effort and cause for celebration for staff and students alike.
When considering quality of education, reading was recognised as a golden thread running through the school. Inspectors noted “Reading is a high priority in this school. Leaders are focused on ensuring all children read with confidence. The reading curriculum is carefully considered to engage and challenge pupils at all stages. Books are matched to support pupils at the early stages of reading. Pupils feel empowered through reading and enjoy reading to adults on a regular basis”
In addition, the inspection team also noted strength of the curriculum across subjects at The Academy St James. The school was praised for its logically sequenced curriculum which helps pupils remember more over time and inspectors were impressed at how well children behave and enjoy learning. They said that ‘In geography and science, the curriculum is brought to life in the local community using the nature reserve and brook which runs close to the school. Staff are knowledgeable and understand the needs of the pupils in their class’. Inspectors were particularly impressed with children’s recall in geography and Science and their enjoyment, understanding of PE and recognised why the school is a centre of excellence.
All in all a great result for the students and staff at this ambitious and student focussed Academy and a huge pat on their back for the hard work done.
The Academy St James is located on Chelwood Drive in Allerton and is part of the successful Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust which leads a family of thirteen primaries and four secondaries across the region to deliver high quality education.
To read the full report click here