St Edward's Church of England Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 May 2026

Pupils are happy and enjoy coming to school. They have high levels of attendance and benefit from a well-planned curriculum that supports their academic and personal development. Staff know pupils very well, including students in the sixth form, and use this knowledge to provide effective support. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive the help that they need to thrive. As a result, pupils achieve in line with national expectations. Although some aspects of post-16 performance are weaker, students make secure progress from their starting points and move on to destinations that align well with their interests and aspirations. The school’s Church of England ethos underpins the strong sense of community and belonging that pupils experience. Pupils show pride in their caring school and in being part of a diverse community. The school builds this further through purposeful opportunities. When pupils join the school, they mark their cultural heritage on a large world map mural, creating a positive daily reminder of the school’s inclusive ethos. Pupils act with courtesy and routinely greet staff and visitors positively. Staff set clear expectations and respond quickly when concerns arise. Pupils behave well throughout the day and value the positive, respectful relationships that they build with staff. Pupils feel confident to approach appropriate adults when they need help. Pupils take part in a wide range of extra-curricular activities that strengthen the school’s work to develop their interests and character. They enjoy participating in school performances, such as ‘STEDs Got Talent!’, visiting museums, taking part in sports and exploring different career pathways through activities such as the crime scene investigation workshops. Students in the post-16 provision contribute positively to the wider school community by volunteering to run clubs, supporting younger pupils with reading and providing mentoring. These experiences help them to build their confidence and deepen their respect and understanding of others.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is consistently embedded so that all pupils can improve their outcomes in public examinations.
• Leaders should maintain their focus on improving the quality of pupils' writing so that pupils, including students in the sixth form, can fully apply their knowledge and achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Leaders should use the information available to them to more precisely identify where actions to improvement can be strengthened and consistently embedded.

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