Sandal Magna Community Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 November 2022

Pupils are proud and happy to be part of the Sandal Magna family. The school is a calm place, where adults and pupils show respect for each other. Pupils understand that everyone is different. One pupil said that lots of pupils come to this school from different places in the world. Pupils say, 'It is ok to be different here.' Pupils feel safe in this school. They behave well in lessons and at playtimes. They say that bullying is very rare. If it does happen, pupils say that staff will deal with it quickly. Pupils who need additional help to manage their behaviour are well supported. They say that staff are kind and fair. Leaders and staff are ambitious for pupils. They want pupils to achieve academically and personally. Pupils enjoy learning. They talk with enthusiasm about subjects such as mathematics and computing. They are proud when leaders recognise their hard work in assemblies each week. Classes are proud to receive prizes, such as movies and popcorn or extra playtimes, for regular attendance. Pupils know that learning is important.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum is not implemented as well as it could be. Some teachers do not have sufficient subject knowledge or understanding of effective approaches to teaching some subjects. Consequently, some pupils are not learning effectively. Leaders need to ensure that the curriculum is consistently well implemented in all subjects, and that all staff are equipped with secure subject knowledge and sound pedagogy.
• In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment rigorously to check that pupils are remembering the curriculum. This means that pupils are not always clear about what they have learned, and that lessons are not planned to build on prior learning. Leaders should ensure that teachers are clear about what they are assessing and about how to use assessment effectively to plan subsequent learning.
• Despite leaders' actions, the attendance of some pupils is not high enough. As a result, these pupils are falling behind in their learning. Leaders should continue to work with these pupils and their parents to improve their attendance and engagement with school.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)