Cornwallis Academy, located in Maidstone, Kent, is recognized as a good school following its inspection in January 2023. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils feel happy and safe, embracing the Cornwallis ethos aimed at motivating and engaging students for success. Relationships among pupils and staff are supportive, with teachers being described as kind and helpful. The school promotes a strong sense of community, and pupils exhibit calm and orderly behavior, reflecting the high expectations set by school leaders. The conduct of students is consistently fair and respectful, with initiatives like the Year 11 prefects supporting younger pupils in their reading and sixth-form students running an anti-bullying club.
The personal development provision at Cornwallis Academy is robust, actively supporting pupils' welfare and well-being. The school encourages high aspirations through a well-established careers program, providing sixth-form students with guidance on university applications and opportunities to engage with visiting speakers. This support has led to an increasing number of students progressing to further and higher education. The school also offers a wide range of enrichment and extracurricular activities, with many pupils participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and various community-focused initiatives.
The curriculum at Cornwallis Academy is well-structured and ambitious, aligned with national standards and examination syllabuses. It is designed to ensure that pupils master content effectively, with regular revisiting of topics to enhance retention. However, there is a recognized need to increase the uptake of modern foreign languages, as the current participation limits the number of pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate. Leaders are actively working to raise the profile of language subjects and highlight their benefits.
While the curriculum is generally well-implemented, some subjects have faced challenges due to staffing shortages, impacting the consistency of education in those areas. Nevertheless, leaders are committed to improving pupil progress across all subjects, with positive developments noted during the inspection. Reading is a key focus, with effective strategies in place to support pupils and promote a culture of reading for pleasure.
Assessment practices are effective, ensuring that understanding is regularly checked and learning gaps are addressed. The school provides a comprehensive program of personal, social, and health education, although there is potential for broader coverage of topics in the sixth form. Inclusion is well-supported, and safeguarding measures are robust, with clear protocols in place for addressing any concerns.
Teachers at Cornwallis Academy are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, creating a positive classroom atmosphere that encourages pupil engagement and participation. The leadership team, particularly the headteacher, is praised for fostering a culture of trust and support among staff, who report high levels of job satisfaction and teamwork.
The school’s safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a strong culture of care and support for pupils. The designated safeguarding lead is well-informed and proactive in addressing issues. Overall, Cornwallis Academy continues to provide a good quality of education, with clear areas for improvement identified, particularly in increasing language uptake and ensuring consistent curriculum implementation across all subjects. The school is well-positioned to build on its strengths and address these challenges moving forward.
