Pupils, and students in the sixth form, told inspectors that they enjoy coming to school to learn. They feel happy and safe at St Mary’s Catholic Academy. Staff set high expectations of pupils’ behaviour and achievement. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They are polite and well mannered. They enjoy positive relationships with one another. Pupils reported that derogatory language is rare. They respect each other’s differences. Pupils said that when bullying happens, teachers respond quickly and resolve any issues effectively. Pupils are confident that staff will deal well with any concerns that they have. Leaders have ensured that pupils follow a suitably ambitious curriculum. Pupils achieve well overall. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils. Students in the sixth form receive an especially strong quality of education. Pupils experience a wealth of opportunities which interest and inspire them. They take part enthusiastically in clubs and sports, including chess club, hockey and cricket. They also enjoy visits, for example to London, and taking part in a community youth project. Parents are very supportive of the school. A typical comment made was, ‘My child has been very happy there.’ What does the school do well and what does it need to do better? Trustees and leaders have high ambitions for pupils. Most pupils and students, including those with SEND, achieve well in a broad range of subjects. Pupils, and students in the sixth form, study a wide range of courses. All pupils follow the same ambitious curriculum. Pupils are well prepared for their next steps. Leaders have put in place a curriculum which has the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects at its heart. They have made efforts to strengthen the modern foreign languages curriculum in key stage 3. This has begun to increase the number of pupils who choose to study this subject at key stage 4. As a result, the proportion of pupils following the EBacc suite of subjects is beginning to rise, although it remains low. This limits the choices that some pupils can make about their future. Subject leaders have thought carefully about the knowledge that pupils should learn. Leaders have also considered the order in which to teach essential information. Subject curriculums are carefully organised. However, in a small number of subjects, the curriculum has some gaps in content at key stage 3. This affects pupils' understanding of these subjects. Inspection report: St Mary's Catholic Academy 10 and 11 May 2022 2 Teachers ensure that pupils revisit their learning regularly. Teachers give pupils opportunities to practise and build on what they already know. This helps pupils to remember the curriculum. Many teachers have a detailed knowledge of their curriculum subjects. They use their subject expertise skilfully to help pupils remember and apply their learning. Teachers in the sixth form have particularly strong subject expertise. Leaders accurately identify the needs of pupils with SEND. Teachers provide effective support so that these pupils can learn the same ambitious curriculum as other pupils in the school. Teachers use assessment strategies well. They spot and address pupils’ misconceptions quickly and effectively, including for pupils with SEND. Teaching staff provide effective support to pupils in lessons. This helps pupils move on to new learning confidently and successfully. Pupils who are at the earliest stages of learning to read are supported well. They receive specialist support from staff to help them to read more fluently. This improves these pupils’ confidence in reading and helps them to better access the curriculum. Pupils show positive attitudes towards their learning. Typically, pupils learn well in a calm environment with few interruptions. Teachers ensure that there are clear routines which contribute to an orderly atmosphere in and out of lessons. Pupils benefit from a strong programme of personal development. This includes ageappropriate relationships and sex education and health education. Pupils learn about other cultures and beliefs. Teachers prepare pupils well for life in modern Britain. Pupils receive a strong careers education, information, advice and guidance programme. A high proportion of pupils move on to further education and training, including those pupils with SEND. In the sixth form, many students progress on to university. Trustees provide effective support for leaders. They know the school well and provide a well-defined direction for improvement. Trustees challenge leaders to develop further the quality of education for all pupils. Leaders are passionate about supporting the well-being of staff. They put a strong emphasis on professional development, including research. They care for their staff. Teachers appreciate the efforts made by leaders to reduce their workload. Staff enjoy working at the school.