Following a monitoring inspection visit to Medina College on July 13, 2021, it has been confirmed that the school requires improvement. This inspection was conducted under the Education Act 2005 due to the school receiving four consecutive judgments of requires improvement in previous inspections. The visit marked the first routine inspection since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the pandemic was taken into account during the evaluation.
The inspection findings indicate that school leaders and governors are taking effective action to improve the school. The leadership structure has changed since the last inspection, with the executive headteacher now leading Medina College. Significant efforts have been made to enhance the curriculum, particularly at key stage three, ensuring that students study a broad and balanced range of subjects. Additionally, new subjects have been introduced at key stage four, such as health and social care, reflecting a commitment to providing diverse educational opportunities.
The curriculum has been designed to be ambitious, with leaders dedicating time to develop detailed plans for each subject. These plans now incorporate subject-specific vocabulary and opportunities for students to deepen their cultural understanding. Many teachers are now more focused on revisiting key content to secure students' learning, although consistency in implementation across all subjects remains a challenge. Curriculum leaders are encouraged to monitor the effectiveness of teaching to ensure that all students learn well.
Efforts to improve literacy and reading are underway, although some initiatives have been hindered by the pandemic. A reading program for Year 7 has been introduced, but its rollout to other year groups has been delayed. Training and support for staff are planned for September, with a focus on equipping learning support assistants with phonics training to assist early-stage readers.
The school is also focused on enhancing student behavior and attitudes. Reports indicate a decrease in low-level disruptions, with students demonstrating improved concentration in lessons. Attendance levels have also risen, reflecting the positive changes being implemented.
Work is ongoing to enhance students' personal development. A personal, social, and health education program has been introduced, meeting statutory requirements. Leaders are mapping out how students can develop their talents and cultural understanding through various subjects and extracurricular activities. However, this aspect of improvement is still in its early stages, and further development is needed to ensure that the program meets students' needs and aspirations.
Governors are well-informed about the school's strengths and areas for improvement, employing a rigorous process to verify the accuracy of information provided by leaders. The school has effectively utilized support from the local authority, which has included assistance in improving reading and curriculum quality across subjects. Staff have also benefited from participating in local subject development groups.
The inspection involved meetings with school leaders, governors, and local authority representatives, as well as a review of school documents and feedback from students and parents. The findings highlight the ongoing efforts of the school to address previous shortcomings and the commitment of leaders to drive improvement. The school is on a path toward becoming a good institution, but further work is necessary to ensure consistency and quality across all areas of the educational experience.
