St. Mary’s Menston, a Catholic Voluntary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. St Mary's Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy is an outstanding provider of education. It prepares young people extremely well for their future careers regardless of individual background or personal aspiration.

All groups of students in Key Stages 3 and 4 make outstanding progress. They leave Year 11 with results that are very high compared to national averages. The sixth form is good.

Students are happy and do well in their studies. However, rates of progress are not yet as high at A level as those seen at GCSE in Key Stages 3 and 4. Students feel safe and are safe.

They are happy, eloquent and very caring individuals w...ho respect, and are respected by, their staff. The overwhelming majority of parents agree that their children are safe in the academy. Attendance levels at the academy are very high and improving further.

Persistent absence rates are low and continuing to fall. Students' attitudes to learning are extremely positive. However, a few students do not demonstrate a pride in their work.

There are many opportunities for teachers to develop their skills but sometimes expertise within the academy is not shared widely. Students' behaviour is impeccable. They are punctual, polite and respectful, dressed smartly and prepared for lessons.

Teachers know their subjects well and use their knowledge to good effect. Marking is regular and helps students to make strong progress. However, occasionally, teachers do not fully follow the academy marking procedures.

Procedures to monitor the quality of teaching are robust and secure. The monitoring of students' progress is focused and leading to good identification of groups of students so that their needs are well met. Leaders at all levels share a passion and vision for students of all ages to do their very best.

Students respond well to this high aspiration. Governors and senior leaders set themselves high goals and reflect accurately on how their actions are affecting positively on the outcomes for students. Both the Academy Trust and Academy Governing Body challenge leaders well.

They know their students and staff and ensure that the very best outcomes are achieved for most. They are challenging leaders to improve the sixth form further and to ensure that, although small in number, disadvantaged students do even better.

Information about this school

St Mary's Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy converted to become an academy school in March 2013.

When its predecessor school, St Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good. The highest proportion of students comes from a White British background. There is a small proportion of students who speak English as an additional language.

The proportion of disadvantaged students eligible for extra support from the pupil premium funding is low compared to the national average. The pupil premium supports those students who are known to be eligible for free school meals and those looked after by the local authority. The academy has previously entered some students early for GCSE examinations but no longer does so.

The academy is part of The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust. The academy also works in partnership with a non-denominational local secondary school in Guiseley to expand the curriculum on offer to its sixth form. The academy makes use of Leeds College for a very small number of students on a part-time basis for alternative additional provision.

The academy supports initial teacher training opportunities through Schools Direct. The academy continues to receive some challenge and support from Leeds local authority. The headteacher is new to the academy since September 2014 and is led by a long-serving governing body supported through the multi-academy trust.

The academy holds a number of awards including, the Healthy School Award, Artsmark Silver Award, Youth Sports Trust Gold Award, International Schools Award, Fairtrade School Award and Sainsbury's School Games Mark Gold Award. The proportion of disabled students or those with special educational needs is well-below average. The academy meets the government's current floor standard, which is the minimum expectation for students' attainment and progress.