Michael Faraday School, located in Walworth, Southwark, London, has been recognized as a good school following its recent inspection. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils are well-mannered, friendly, and respectful. During lessons, students actively listen to their teachers, follow instructions, and collaborate effectively with their peers. At playtime, they engage in various activities, such as climbing, building in the forest area, and socializing in the orchard. Instances of bullying are rare, and when they occur, school leaders address them promptly, ensuring a safe atmosphere for all students.
The leadership team at Michael Faraday School has high expectations for both the academic and personal growth of pupils. As a result, students achieve commendable outcomes in their learning and participate in a diverse array of extracurricular activities. These include playing in the brass band, knitting, crocheting, and representing the school in sports and arts events. The school emphasizes the importance of teaching pupils to become responsible citizens, equipping them with skills in collaboration, debate, problem-solving, and resilience. This approach helps students develop positive attitudes toward learning and prepares them for the transition to secondary school.
The school community is strong, with pupils, staff, parents, and carers expressing their enjoyment of being part of it. Parents describe the school as a happy place where care and support are paramount. They commend the commitment of school leaders and the strong relationships that staff build with families, which contribute to high attendance rates. Leaders are proactive in identifying pupils at risk of non-attendance and provide timely support.
Michael Faraday School has developed an ambitious curriculum that incorporates local context and diversity. This is evident in subjects like history, where pupils study significant figures and periods relevant to their community. The curriculum outlines the knowledge, skills, and vocabulary that students need to acquire, with a focus on enriching their vocabulary across subjects. However, recent curriculum changes in some areas mean that pupils have not yet fully developed the expected body of knowledge.
The school promotes a love of reading from the outset, with teachers carefully selecting books that complement the curriculum. In Year 6, for instance, pupils study The Windrush Child, linking their historical knowledge to enhance their understanding of the text. A structured phonics program is in place to support reading development, with daily lessons for early readers and books that match their phonics knowledge. Staff quickly identify pupils who struggle with reading and provide additional support to help them catch up.
Leaders have established clear assessment approaches to gauge pupils' learning and retention of key knowledge. For example, history lessons often begin with quizzes on essential concepts. While most pupils develop their knowledge well, there are instances where the delivery of the curriculum lacks the necessary expertise, leading to gaps in understanding for some students.
The early years curriculum effectively lays the foundation for important concepts, with children in Nursery and Reception engaging in activities that develop their mathematical understanding. Leaders accurately identify pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they receive appropriate support while studying the same subjects as their peers.
In lessons, routines are well-established, and relationships between staff and pupils are supportive. Disruptions are rare, and all pupils have access to a variety of enrichment activities, including visits to significant cultural sites and adventurous residential trips. Staff appreciate the attention leaders give to their workload and well-being, while governors provide effective support and challenge to the leadership team.
The safeguarding arrangements at Michael Faraday School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school is committed to continuous improvement, focusing on embedding its new curriculum to enhance the consistency and strength of learning across all subjects.
