Samuel King’s School, located in Alston, Cumbria, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on July 5 and 6, 2022. The school is characterized by a small, welcoming environment where pupils and staff describe the atmosphere as familial. Students express that they feel happy and safe, attributing this to the strong, positive relationships they build with their teachers. This trust fosters a supportive learning environment where pupils are encouraged to celebrate diversity and are taught to reject discrimination and bullying. The school has established a culture where pupils are confident that any incidents of bullying will be addressed promptly by the leadership.
Pupils exhibit sensible behavior and enjoy their social interactions, with calm and orderly lunchtimes that reflect mutual respect among students and staff. The high expectations set by school leaders for both learning and behavior are met by the pupils, who achieve well across various subjects. The learning environment is conducive to focus, allowing students to engage fully without distractions. Beyond the classroom, the school offers a range of extracurricular activities that enhance pupils' understanding of the world, including visits, sports, music, and drama clubs. The school community actively participates in local initiatives, such as fundraising for a local air ambulance, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement.
The curriculum at Samuel King’s School is broad, balanced, and interesting, enabling pupils to succeed in their learning. Leaders have worked diligently to ensure that the curriculum builds logically on prior knowledge and have expanded the range of subjects offered, with a focus on the English Baccalaureate suite. Subject leaders have organized the curriculum effectively, ensuring that the knowledge pupils need to learn is clearly defined and sequenced. Teachers possess strong subject knowledge and utilize their expertise to help pupils retain and apply essential information. Regular checks and skilled questioning by teachers help identify and address misconceptions, ensuring that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they need to thrive alongside their peers.
The school has established effective systems to support pupils who struggle with reading, fostering confidence and fluency in their reading skills. Pupils generally behave well during lessons, with low levels of disruption, as they learn to manage their behavior effectively. The school also prioritizes personal development, preparing pupils for life in modern Britain by teaching them about different cultures and providing careers guidance across all year groups. Pupils have a significant voice in school life, exemplified by their engagement with local representatives on community issues.
Governance at the school is strong, with governors holding leaders accountable for educational quality while also supporting efforts to reduce teacher workload. Staff express high levels of job satisfaction and pride in their work at Samuel King’s School. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance among staff who are well-trained to recognize and respond to potential risks to pupils. The school promotes safety awareness, including online safety and healthy relationships.
While the school excels in many areas, there are opportunities for improvement. In some subjects, teachers need to provide more opportunities for pupils to revisit and practice their learning to ensure that knowledge is fully embedded. Leaders are encouraged to ensure that appropriate activities are designed to strengthen pupils' understanding in these areas. Overall, Samuel King’s School continues to provide a supportive and effective educational environment for its pupils.
