Overall Summary

St Matthews Church of England Academy continues to be a GOOD school.

Pupils are happy, safe and well supported. Teaching is strong in many areas, especially reading and mathematics. Leaders are clear about the next steps and are already taking action to make the school even better.

What the School Does Well

• Happy, confident pupils

  • Children enjoy school, behave well and attend regularly.

  • They are proud of their school and love learning.

  • The school has a strong “family feel” and Christian values are central to daily life.

• Strong focus on safety

  • Pupils understand how to keep safe, including online safety and wider risks.

  • Bullying is rare and dealt with effectively.

  • Staff know pupils well and act quickly if there are concerns.

  • Safeguarding procedures are strong, with good links to outside agencies when needed.

• High expectations for all pupils

  • Staff expect pupils to work hard and achieve well.

  • Pupils with SEND are well supported and make good progress.

  • Extra help is provided quickly when needed.

• A love of reading

  • A strong reading culture has been developed.

  • Pupils enjoy a wide range of books and know different authors.

  • Teachers read to pupils regularly.

  • Reading books are carefully matched to the sounds children are learning.

• Strong mathematics teaching

  • Maths is taught in a clear, well-sequenced way.

  • Lessons are challenging but achievable.

  • Pupils understand how different areas of maths connect (e.g. multiplication and division).

  • Pupils with SEND receive effective additional support.

• Well-planned curriculum

  • Subjects are carefully mapped out so knowledge builds step by step.

  • Leaders are ambitious about what pupils should learn.

• Positive behaviour culture

  • A new behaviour policy supports pupils in making better choices.

  • Behaviour is improving for the small number who sometimes struggle.

• Personal development opportunities

  • Pupils take on leadership roles (head boy/girl, house captains, Year 6 buddies).

  • Children learn responsibility, confidence and how to support others.

  • Clubs and wider opportunities are valued and continuing to develop.

• Early Years strengths

  • Children develop independence and cooperate well.

  • Learning is well structured.

  • Adults support children effectively.

  • Children show creativity and imagination in their play.

• Strong leadership and teamwork

  • The executive headteacher has quickly identified priorities.

  • Staff work together with a shared commitment to improvement.

  • Staff feel supported and leaders consider staff workload.

• Very positive parent feedback

  • Parents describe the school as a “small school with a big heart”.

  • Families feel supported and valued.

What the School Is Working to Improve

• Phonics training

  • A new phonics approach has been introduced.

  • Not all staff have had full training yet.

  • Leaders are working to ensure all staff are fully trained so children learn to read as quickly and effectively as possible.

• Subject leadership

  • Some subject leaders need more expertise in checking how well their plans are helping pupils remember and understand learning.

  • Senior leaders are working to strengthen this so all subjects are equally strong.