Merton Primary School ‘Outstanding’ in all areas

Staff and pupils are celebrating at Benedict Academy, located in Mitcham, after being rated Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.

The academy recently received its first Ofsted inspection since joining STEP Academy Trust in 2020 and is delighted to be recognised for delivering an exceptional education for pupils. Ofsted praised Benedict Academy for having high outcomes for pupils and for creating a warm environment where they feel “happy and safe”.

In September, the Government made changes to the Ofsted grading system, meaning schools are no longer given one-word overall judgements but are given judgements for each category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, all of which Benedict Academy was graded Outstanding in.

The report highlighted the “rich and ambitious curriculum” which is “well-designed” and well-delivered, stating “Leaders have thought carefully about the key knowledge they want pupils to learn and the order in which they should learn it.”

Attendance and behaviour were both commended and inspectors said pupils feel their school is “the best”.

Other highlights from the report include:

· “Parents and carers are positive about the school and the caring ethos it promotes.”

· “Pupils are taught to be responsible and caring citizens.”

· “Teachers check pupils’ understanding regularly and correct any misconceptions quickly. They use assessment well to measure the impact of their teaching and address any gaps in learning.”

· “The school has the highest expectations for what pupils can achieve. Pupils, including children in the early years, rise to these expectations at every opportunity.”

· “Pupils make exceptional progress from their starting points in the early years to the end of Year 6.”

· “Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported to access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers.”

· “Pupils take great pride in their school and their behaviour is impeccable.”

· Reading is a priority at Benedict Academy and teachers “identify quickly pupils who are not as confident and put in place a range of appropriate support. This means pupils, including those with SEND, become confident and enthusiastic readers.”

· The academy is focused on social and emotional develop and pupils “learn to take turns, develop friendships, and work and play with other children.”

· “Staff are happy and proud to work at Benedict Academy. They talk positively about the huge improvements the school has made in recent years.”

Felicity Gilmore, Executive Head Teacher at Benedict Academy, said: “I am incredibly proud of this Ofsted report, which reflects the journey of improvement we have been on since joining STEP Academy Trust. I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all our staff at Benedict Academy, who are dedicated to delivering an exceptional education for our pupils.

“I was particularly pleased that Ofsted recognised that parents feel positively about our academy, their support has been vital to our improvement in recent years.”

Paul Glover, CEO of STEP Academy Trust, said: “Well done to the entire team at Benedict Academy. The report reflects the brilliant staff, ambitious pupils and supportive families that make its school community. In particular, I want to thank Felicity Gilmore for her leadership, which has helped transform the academy.

“At STEP, we are committed to changing the life chances of all the pupils we serve, no matter their background, and we will continue to support Benedict Academy achieve the very best for its pupils and staff.”