Alleyne’s Academy, located in Stone, Staffordshire, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection from December 5 to 6, 2019. The school provides a positive learning environment where pupils enjoy their education due to effective teaching and strong pastoral support. Students feel safe, with rare instances of bullying reported, and the majority of staff affirm this sentiment. The behavior of pupils is commendable, with lessons rarely disrupted by poor conduct. Staff set high expectations and model appropriate behavior, fostering a respectful atmosphere among students and teachers alike. Many pupils take pride in their school and wear their uniforms with dignity.
The leadership team, including governors and staff, is dedicated to the success of all pupils, resulting in a strong work ethic and determination among students. The curriculum is designed to be engaging and appropriately challenging, promoting positive attitudes towards learning. Leaders aim to ensure that pupils not only achieve good results in their GCSEs and A-levels but also develop into well-rounded individuals. The curriculum offers a diverse range of opportunities that effectively support personal development.
The school has maintained its good status for several years, with the headteacher inspiring the school community to strive for excellence. Consequently, pupils receive quality instruction, leading to commendable examination results, particularly in core subjects like English, mathematics, and science. School leaders are aware of the strengths and areas for improvement within the institution. For instance, they recognize the need to enhance the Year 9 curriculum to ensure that all national curriculum subjects are covered. This year, leaders are collaborating with middle schools to better understand pupils' achievements prior to entering Year 9, which will inform future curriculum improvements.
While computing is integrated into various subjects in Key Stage 4, leaders have not ensured that pupils study this subject in sufficient depth. Training is being provided to staff to enhance curriculum development, and subject leaders are actively reviewing and adapting the sequence of learning in many areas. This initiative has positively impacted pupils' learning, especially in science, English, and business studies. However, the effectiveness of these changes has not been uniformly assessed across all subjects, including modern foreign languages, where the curriculum planning requires further refinement to ensure balanced progress in all language skills.
Pupils have access to numerous enrichment activities, such as visits to the National Space Museum and presentations from external speakers, which complement their learning experiences. The proportion of pupils studying the English Baccalaureate was below average in 2019, primarily due to staffing challenges in foreign language instruction. However, there has been an increase in the number of pupils pursuing these subjects in the current academic year.
The school excels in supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with exceptional leadership in this area. These pupils achieve well due to tailored support and an adapted curriculum. The sixth form has shown improvement since the last inspection, with students making good progress, particularly in applied courses, and engaging in a variety of extracurricular activities that enhance their employability skills.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with staff well-trained to address concerns and make timely referrals to external agencies when necessary. The school prioritizes the safety and well-being of its pupils, ensuring they learn about risk assessment and safety through various programs and assemblies. Overall, while Alleyne’s Academy demonstrates many strengths, ongoing efforts are needed to refine the curriculum across all subjects and ensure comprehensive coverage of the national curriculum.
