Milton Primary Academy, located in Stoke-on-Trent, received a positive inspection report following its evaluation on January 25 and 26, 2022. The school has been rated as good in all areas, including overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This inspection marked the first routine evaluation since the school became an academy in September 2017, transitioning from its predecessor, which had been judged inadequate.
The school is committed to creating a safe and engaging environment where children feel valued and respected. Pupils express enjoyment in attending school, attributing this to the supportive atmosphere fostered by staff. The school motto, Together we achieve our best, reflects the leaders' aspiration for students to thrive academically and personally. The curriculum is designed to prepare pupils effectively for secondary education, offering diverse opportunities for talent and interest development.
Pupils demonstrate positive behaviour in lessons and during breaks, engaging well with peers and utilizing playground equipment safely. Staff supervision ensures a secure environment, and pupils report that bullying is not an issue, with confidence in adults to address any concerns. The school has garnered appreciation from parents for its community spirit, particularly during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The curriculum is well-structured, allowing pupils to progress effectively through their educational journey. In early years, staff focus on language development and foundational skills in numeracy and literacy, ensuring children are ready for Year 1. The curriculum encompasses all national subjects in key stages 1 and 2, promoting personal development alongside academic learning. Teachers employ effective lesson planning strategies that help pupils retain knowledge, with practical applications in subjects like science and history enhancing engagement.
Assessment practices are established across subjects, although some inconsistencies exist in how progress is measured. This occasionally hinders teachers' ability to adapt learning based on classroom assessments, impacting pupil progress. Leaders are encouraged to enhance staff confidence in using assessments to inform instruction.
Reading is prioritized, with a strong emphasis on vocabulary development and phonics instruction from early years. Support is provided for children struggling with reading, ensuring they can keep pace with their peers. The school has implemented a new phonics scheme aimed at achieving fluency in reading by the end of Year 2, with enthusiastic staff and positive pupil responses.
Personal development is integral to the curriculum, with pupils learning about rights, responsibilities, and democracy through initiatives like the pupil parliament. The school offers a variety of extracurricular clubs and activities, fostering high participation rates and enriching the educational experience. Leaders ensure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, receive appropriate support to thrive in school.
Staff express satisfaction with leadership, noting that their views are valued and workloads are manageable. The board of trustees provides effective governance, ensuring collaboration among schools within the trust benefits both pupils and staff.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with staff trained to recognize and address concerns effectively. Leaders maintain vigilance in protecting children and managing risks associated with social media and internet use. Overall, Milton Primary Academy demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering a positive educational environment, with clear areas for improvement identified in assessment practices to further enhance pupil learning outcomes.
