Aspirational school praised by inspectors

A Wolverhampton school has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for its ambitious curriculum and being aspirational for all pupils.

St Michael's Catholic Primary Academy and Nursery in Merry Hill, rated as "good", has taken effective action to maintain standards, inspectors said.

Pupils were well behaved, reading, writing and mathematics were prioritised and teachers had subject knowledge to deliver the curriculum, they added.

Executive principal Adam Jewkes said he was "thrilled" the report acknowledged "what a happy, friendly and effective school community we belong to at St Michael's".

Ofsted visited the school in November and lead inspector Lorraine Lord said the school had designed an ambitious curriculum for pupils which set out the knowledge and skills they needed to know to be successful in school.

Pupils with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) were identified swiftly and given help and support to be successful, she said.

Mr Jewkes said the school had been through some "significant changes" over the last two years and staff had worked hard to provide pupils with opportunities and experiences.

"I feel incredibly proud of all the staff, children and governing body," he added.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, cabinet member for children, young people and education, said she welcomed the positive report which described a "happy, welcoming school".

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