St Luke's CofE Academy Endon

Inspection of a good school: St Luke’s Church of England Academy Endon Leek Road, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST9 9EB

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Outcome

St Luke’s Church of England Academy Endon continues to be a good school. There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a graded (section 5) inspection now. The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive and flourish at this exciting, nurturing and inclusive school. The headteacher and staff are united in their ambition for every pupil to achieve their very best, academically and personally. They are determined that all pupils will leave the school as confident individuals with a love of learning for life. There is an extremely purposeful atmosphere in every classroom.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils’ exemplary behaviour and attitudes reflect leaders’ high expectations. Pupils state that bullying is not a problem. Pupils have complete confidence that staff will quickly help them to sort out any issues should these occur. Pupils feel safe in school with kind, encouraging and caring adults.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Children in Reception settle well and learn the routines of the school very quickly. Pupils very ably demonstrate the school’s five key values: to be considerate, honest, positive, determined and the best they can be. Pupils take great pride in their school, their leadership opportunities and their personal achievements. Leaders plan a wealth of opportunities to enrich and build on the exceptional curriculum. Pupils benefit enormously from these first-hand experiences.

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What is it like to attend this school?

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school and its leadership. They describe it as, ‘more than a school – it is home from home’, and, ‘simply the best’.

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What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Pupils at this school are valued as unique individuals who have the right to succeed. Leaders, staff and governors share a limitless ambition for all pupils to have the very best education. Leaders have carefully crafted a highly ambitious curriculum that starts in early years. They have identified the key knowledge that they want the pupils to know for each 2 and 3 March 2023

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subject. They have identified deliberate opportunities to make meaningful links across curriculum areas. Independence is promoted at every opportunity, and pupils develop a determination to succeed. As soon as children start in Reception, they are encouraged to develop attitudes of curiosity and an exceptional vocabulary. This continues as pupils move through the school. Pupils are well prepared for their next steps in learning.

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Reading is at the heart of the curriculum, and leaders prioritise teaching pupils to read. Staff are well trained to teach phonics effectively. This begins without delay when children start in Reception. Books are carefully matched to the sounds that pupils know, and this helps them to practise their reading and grow in confidence. Pupils who fall behind or need extra support are identified quickly and given prompt help by highly trained staff. Daily story times, opportunities to attend book clubs and a library full of inspiring books help pupils develop a love of reading.

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This school is extremely inclusive, and staff are ambitious for every pupil, irrespective of their differing needs. The curriculum has been carefully constructed to ensure that all pupils learn alongside their classmates and through the school motto, ‘helping lights shine for all’. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are welcomed into the school and they receive expert support. Leaders identify where pupils need additional help, and when appropriate, tailored and bespoke programmes are skilfully implemented. Pupils with SEND achieve exceptionally well.

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When children start in Reception, staff find out what makes each child unique. This knowledge is used to tailor activities that maximise engagement and progress. Indoor and outdoor areas are well organised, with activities that help children to develop an enquiring mind and to practise their learning. Children achieve exceptionally well and are confident to move on to Year 1 and beyond.

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Pupils behave exceptionally well across the school and live up to leaders’ high expectations. There is a strong sense of belonging and togetherness. This is demonstrated in the genuine care that pupils always show towards each other.

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The promotion of pupils’ personal development is exceptional. All pupils take part in a rich range of extracurricular activities. Leaders are relentless in their drive to ensure that pupils experience a well-considered range of opportunities before they leave the school. Pupils understand the cultural heritage of where they live and their own cultural backgrounds, as well as those of others. Pupils understand, respect and appreciate difference. One parent, who echoed the views of many, said, ‘St Luke’s is centred on developing children holistically; offering experiences to thrive in this ever-changing world.’

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There is a strong culture of mutual support and teamwork among the staff. Staff know that leaders listen to their views and consider their workload. Staff appreciate this and value the extensive professional development they receive and the support they get. Teachers have expert subject knowledge and use this well to ensure that pupils achieve positive outcomes in all subjects. 2 and 3 March 2023

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff take safeguarding very seriously. Leaders provide training that ensures that staff understand their role in keeping pupils safe. They know pupils well and are alert to any signs that pupils may have a problem. Staff know how to report their concerns. Leaders record these accurately and act swiftly. Leaders have effective links with a wide range of agencies and actively seek advice and guidance. This ensures that families receive the help they need.

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Safeguarding

Pupils learn how to keep safe, including when online. They are confident and know they can talk to adults if they are worried. They know that all staff would act quickly to help them.

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Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act. Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

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Background

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the predecessor school, St Luke’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled School, to be good in October 2016.

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How can I feed back my views?

find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school.

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Further information

In the report, ‘disadvantaged pupils’ refers to those pupils who attract government pupil premium funding: pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years and pupils in care or who left care through adoption or another formal route. 2 and 3 March 2023

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School details

Website www.st-lukes-endon.staffs.sch.uk

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School details

Date of previous inspection Not previously inspected

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Information about this school

 The school is part of Staffordshire University Academy Trust.  The school has a religious character and is part of the Diocese of Lichfield. Its most recent Statutory Inspection of Anglian and Methodist Schools was in March 2016, when the school was judged to be outstanding.  The school does not currently use any alternative provision.  Leaders run a breakfast and after-school club that pupils can pay to attend.

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Information about this inspection

 This was the first routine inspection the school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the school.  The inspector scrutinised a range of documents, including leaders’ evaluation of the school and priorities for improvement. She reviewed documents on the school’s website, as well as published information about the school’s performance and previous Ofsted inspections. 2 and 3 March 2023

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 The inspector carried out deep dives in reading, mathematics and geography. For each deep dive, the inspector discussed the curriculum with subject leaders, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.  The inspector held meetings with the headteacher, the special educational needs coordinator and curriculum leaders. The inspector observed some pupils reading to teaching assistants.  The inspector also met with trustees and the local academy council, including the chair of the local academy council.  The inspector met with the designated safeguarding lead and checked documents relating to safeguarding, including the checks made on staff. She also examined documentation relating to pupils’ attendance and behaviour. Checks were made on staff training and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector considered the responses to Ofsted’s online survey for staff and its

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survey for parents and carers, Ofsted Parent View. She also spoke to some parents at the beginning of the day. She also looked at the school’s own recent surveys of staff and parents.  The inspector also spoke with pupils and staff informally during the school day.

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Inspection team

Joanne Harrison, lead inspector Ofsted Inspector 2 and 3 March 2023

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regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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