St George’s Church of England Academy in Birmingham underwent an inspection on 15 and 16 June 2022, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education was also rated as Requires Improvement, while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management received a Good rating. Early years provision was similarly rated as Good. The school, which serves a diverse community, aims to provide a high-quality education and is recognized for its strong pastoral support.
Pupils at St George’s benefit from a well-structured learning environment where staff emphasize the importance of right and wrong. The school organizes various trips and clubs to broaden pupils' horizons beyond their immediate surroundings. The large playground offers ample opportunities for physical activity, and staff actively promote inclusive play during lunchtime. The school has effective measures in place to address bullying, ensuring that pupils feel safe and supported. Staff are attentive to pupils' emotional well-being, quickly addressing any issues that arise.
In the classroom, teachers engage pupils with a busy curriculum and help them understand the connection between effort and success. Reading instruction is a strong point, with a consistent approach to phonics and a wide selection of quality books available. However, the teaching of mathematics and some other subjects requires improvement, as pupils do not consistently achieve the expected learning outcomes.
Leaders at the school are committed to creating an oasis of learning in a bustling urban area. They are aware of the challenges that remain in achieving their goal of providing a good-quality education for all pupils. The headteacher serves as a strong role model, fostering a supportive environment for both staff and students. The school has made significant strides in teaching reading, with daily phonics lessons and a focus on vocabulary development that enhances pupils' comprehension and oracy skills.
Despite these strengths, the mathematics curriculum needs further refinement to meet the needs of all pupils, particularly in key stages one and two. Disruptions from the pandemic, staff changes, and gaps in subject knowledge have hindered progress in this area. While early years education emphasizes number and mathematical language, older pupils do not receive the comprehensive instruction they require.
In other subjects, leaders have carefully sequenced the curriculum to ensure that pupils grasp essential knowledge. However, the quality of classroom practice varies, partly due to staff absence affecting training opportunities. Leaders have responded by providing helpful resources to support staff development, but more work is needed to ensure a consistent learning experience across the school.
The school excels in providing pastoral support, offering parents information about external organizations that can assist them. Additionally, the school organizes extra sessions to help pupils catch up on missed learning due to the pandemic. St George’s is inclusive, supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities to access the full curriculum.
Staff describe the school as a supportive workplace, with leaders providing regular feedback and setting realistic expectations. Local governors and trust leaders are well-informed and contribute positively to school improvement efforts. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders aware of local risks and ensuring that staff are trained to respond appropriately to various situations.
To improve, the school must refine its mathematics curriculum and enhance the quality of learning in foundation subjects. Leaders should continue to support staff in developing the necessary subject knowledge to effectively implement the planned curriculum. In art and design, and design technology, curriculum guidance needs to be revisited to ensure that classroom activities align with educational goals. Overall, while St George’s has made progress, there is still work to be done to achieve its ambition of providing a high-quality education for all pupils.
