St Germans Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 May 2026

Pupils learn about the importance of raising their aspirations so that they can fulfil their potential. Leaders promote this through the school’s values of belief and determination. These values are central to pupils' daily school life. Staff seek to inspire pupils and teach them the importance of respecting others. Pupils benefit from this approach. They enjoy learning and speak positively about their experiences at school. For example, pupils are particularly enthusiastic about the school’s outdoor learning curriculum, known as ‘bushcraft’. Pupils typically learn well in lessons because teaching is calm, purposeful and supportive. The curriculum is ambitious and well sequenced. Pupils learn a wide range of subjects. However, pupils do not achieve as well as they could in national tests, particularly in reading and writing. Leaders are addressing these aspects of pupils' achievement, but it is too early to see any significant improvement. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils, benefit from leaders identifying barriers to their learning accurately. Leaders put appropriate adaptations in place that help pupils to access the curriculum. Leaders also check that this support is having the intended impact. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. Behaviour is calm and respectful, and pupils feel safe here. Leaders lead by example and have high expectations of all pupils. Pupils understand what is expected of them. They have positive relationships with staff and with each other. Bullying is rare and leaders usually deal with any concerns about bullying promptly. Pupils typically attend school regularly. Pupils benefit from a range of personal development opportunities. Clubs, performances and educational visits help pupils to develop teamwork, confidence and resilience. The personal development programme helps pupils to understand diversity, health and safety, and fundamental British values. Leaders place a high importance on educating pupils about healthy relationships. Pupils learn how to contribute positively to their local community and to modern British society.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that the teaching of reading, writing and mathematics is of a consistently high quality so that pupils achieve more highly in reading and writing at the end of key stage 2 and are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers revisit and consolidate pupils' prior learning regularly and consistently so that pupils secure a coherent body of knowledge as they progress through the school.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils understand the importance of having positive attitudes to learning and consistently demonstrate these attitudes in lessons.

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