The King's CofE Academy, located in Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on March 5 and 6, 2024. Under the leadership of Principal Will Wilson, the school operates within the Three Spires Trust, overseen by CEO Emily Verow and a board of trustees chaired by David Lee. The school fosters a caring environment with a strong sense of community, where positive relationships are fundamental to its operations. Staff members are well-acquainted with their pupils, who feel secure and supported, leading to a low incidence of bullying.
The school maintains high expectations for pupil behavior, which students consistently meet. The atmosphere throughout the school is calm and orderly, contributing to a productive learning environment. The academy offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including music, sports, coding, and engineering clubs, with high participation rates. Parents express satisfaction with the curriculum and the school's expectations, with many recommending it to others. Feedback from parents highlights the supportive and nurturing approach of the staff towards their children.
Despite its strengths, the school faces challenges, particularly regarding persistent absence rates among some pupils. Staff are actively working to address this issue, implementing measures to monitor attendance and engage with families to improve overall attendance rates. While there has been a notable reduction in persistent absence this academic year, attendance remains a barrier to some pupils achieving their full potential.
The school's published outcomes from the previous year do not accurately reflect the quality of education currently provided. The curriculum is well-structured to cater to the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. Lessons are designed with clear routines, allowing for effective learning and retention of information. Teachers employ various strategies to assess understanding and provide constructive feedback, although some pupils do not fully utilize this feedback, which can hinder their progress.
The uptake of the English Baccalaureate is currently low, primarily due to insufficient numbers of pupils studying a language. The school is aware of this and has taken steps to enhance the language curriculum at key stage three to encourage more students to pursue language studies at key stage four. In the sixth form, students have access to a variety of qualifications, including A-levels and T-levels, and receive guidance to make informed choices about their post-16 education.
The school prioritizes the needs of pupils with special educational needs, ensuring that their requirements are quickly identified and addressed in lessons. Reading support programs are in place to assist pupils who struggle with reading, helping them develop their skills and access the full curriculum. The school also emphasizes the importance of pupils' wider development through a comprehensive relationship, social, and health education program, which includes careers education and work experience opportunities.
Staff members express pride in their work at the school, noting effective leadership and management that considers their workload. The safeguarding arrangements are deemed effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. Moving forward, the school must continue to address attendance issues, enhance language uptake for the English Baccalaureate, and ensure that all pupils effectively engage with feedback to maximize their learning potential.
