Read the full Ofsted report here (June 2010).

In its first full Ofsted report, St Mary Magdalene Academy was recognised as ‘Good with many outstanding features’. It is a hugely positive report and shows what excellent progress is being made throughout the Academy.

Of the 30 individual judgements the Academy gained 12 outstandings, 17 goods and one satisfactory. The satisfactory was for attendance, which reflected higher than usual absences this year in part because of swine flu.

The Governors and I believe that this is an accurate picture of where the Academy is today and provides an excellent base from which to progress to ‘Outstanding’ over the next inspection cycle.

In our Christian community of learning it is really pleasing that all of the following were judged as ‘outstanding’: Care, Guidance and Support; pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; the extent to which pupils feel safe; the extent to which pupils contribute to the school and wider community.

The inspection is required to judge the Sixth Form separately and here we scored four ‘outstandings’: outcomes for students, the quality of provision, leadership and management, and overall effectives. This is an exceptional judgement on a provision which has only been open since September.

The following judgements really sum up for me where the Academy is right now:

‘The Academy really ensures that the needs of individuals and groups of pupils are met.’

‘From Reception to the Sixth Form pupils derive many benefits from a highly committed staff who ensure they receive some memorable learning experiences.’

‘The Principal, who is well supported by the senior team, drives the culture of high expectation.’

‘Pupils enter lessons ready to begin learning and in anticipation they are rarely disappointed because the class room environment, when combined with their good and often exemplary behaviour, support teaching and learning very well.’

‘An innovative curriculum with an international dimension offers pupils a wide range of courses and opportunities to develop their personal skills and talents as well as the ability to empathise with others.’

I have been asked by the lead inspector Carmen Rodney HMI to pass on her thanks to parents and pupils and a letter from her can be downloaded here.

Paul Hollingum
Principal