“Like a Village in a City”: Stuart Road Academy Praised in Ofsted Report ​​​​​​​

Stuart Road Academy, is celebrating after being graded ‘Strong Standard’ for achievement and inclusion and ‘Expected Standard’ in all other areas by Ofsted. The other areas judged by Ofsted are curriculum and teaching, attendance and behaviour, personal development and wellbeing, and leadership and governance.

Ofsted has recently changed the way it reports on a school inspection, aiming to provide a "fairer and more detailed picture" of the school rather than a one-word label. The old ‘Good’ and ‘Requires Improvement’ labels are gone, replaced by a new five-point grading scale.

The ‘expected standard’ is just that, it means the school is doing everything that it should be doing. It’s a high standard, ensuring children receive everything they need and deserve. ‘Strong standard’ means school leaders are working above the standard expected of them.

In their report, inspectors said that when pupils enter the gates at Stuart Road Primary Academy, staff greet them warmly. This welcome creates an atmosphere that pupils and staff describe as 'like a village in a city'. Pupils benefit from this positive welcome as it helps them to settle into learning quickly.

Inspectors praised the school’s leaders for ensuring that they provide deeply committed and effective support for families, noting that parents regularly share positive feedback about the very successful support their children receive.

The report also states that in the Early Years, leaders ensure that children get off to the best possible start to their education and that warm, nurturing relationships help children to settle quickly.

Staff were praised, with the report stating that parents and carers speak positively about support and the impact it has on their children's wellbeing. The curriculum was also given positive feedback, with the report saying it is well designed, knowledge rich and supports pupils to develop the skills they need to succeed and that visits and visitors enrich the curriculum and help to spark pupils' curiosity.

Inspectors also highlighted the focus on the children’s future, noting that pupils leave Stuart Road Primary Academy well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Other comments in the report included:

• Pupils achieve well because staff track learning closely and address gaps quickly. Effective phonics teaching leads to outcomes above national averages in the phonics screening check in Year 1.
• The school environment includes well-designed spaces, such as sensory areas, which are used well to meet a wide range of needs.
• Pupils achieve well at Stuart Road. Overall, key stage 2 national test results in reading, writing and mathematics have typically been above the national averages over time. Disadvantaged pupils also achieve very well. Leaders' actions ensure pupils make the strongest possible progress, relative to their starting points.
• Inclusion sits firmly at the heart of the school. Pupils are supported well. They feel known and understood. Pupils are safe and have trusted adults they can turn to.
• A wide range of clubs, including sports, music and other activities linked to pupils' specific interests is available and valued highly by pupils, parents and carers.

Michelle Riley, Interim Head of School & SENco at Stuart Road Academy, said:

“We are delighted that Ofsted has recognised both the strength of our outcomes and the inclusive culture that sits at the heart of Stuart Road Academy. Achieving a ‘Strong Standard’ in both achievement and inclusion is a significant milestone for us, and reflects the dedication, care and expertise of our entire staff team. 

 “We are proud that the impact of our leadership is being recognised so clearly. This reflects the relentless focus we have placed on doing what is right for our pupils. The strong outcomes our children are achieving, alongside the positive ethos that runs throughout the school, are a direct result of the support we have put in place to allow every child to succeed.”