St Mark’s C of E Academy in Morewenstow has received strong praise from their latest Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS).

Following a recent inspection, SIAMS has found that “love and respect are central” to life at St Mark’s C of E Academy. The report noted that the academy’s pupils “confidently say, ‘School helps us to be better people’”.

Inspectors noted that “staff and pupils have been nurtured, involved and shown ‘love and respect’ during this journey of improvement” since joining the Learning Academy Partnership, which has provided “quality training and advice” for the academy’s staff. This training has fostered the development of the staff’s teaching skills, further improving their ability to meet the learning needs of their pupils, whilst also ensuring the continuous growth of the academy as a Church of England school.

Inspectors also remarked upon the Trust’s support of the academy’s “Christian distinctiveness”. Other key highlights from the report include:

• Curriculum changes initiated by the Trust have ensured that “pupils develop curiosity, enthusiasm for learning and are able to flourish”.

• Teachers have ensured that pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are “an integral part of the school community”.

• Pupils are “nurtured and encouraged by the adults around them”, with interactions anchored in “an understanding of the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Lost Sheep”.

• Behaviour at the academy is good, as a result of pupils feeling “safe, loved and respected at school”.

• Provisions for pupils’ spiritual and mental wellbeing were praised, with pupils benefitting from the support of “skilled and highly trained teaching assistants”, as well as the presence of numerous classroom reflection areas, quiet zones in the playground and ‘worry boxes’, which “enable pupils to be calm and reflect on their lives”.

• The academy has close links with the local community. Pupils are enthusiastic about charitable fundraising and are involved in community activities, such as serving lunch to the elderly.

• The RE curriculum is described as “broad and balanced”, with pupils enjoying their studies. Curriculum topics and materials ensure that pupils “learn about difference and diversity in our society”.

Tanya Clark, head of academy at St Mark’s Church of England Academy, Morwenstow said:

“We are so proud to see this report highlighting the loving and respectful environment at St Mark’s Church of England Academy, informed by our Christian ethos and strengthened by our ties to the local Christian community.

“We are very grateful for all the support shown to the academy by its staff, pupils, parents, and governors, as well as the Learning Academy Partnership, all of whom have played an integral role in building a culture of love and respect at the academy.”

Tracey Cleverly, CEO of Learning Academy Partnership said: “This report recognises all of the hard work undertaken by staff and pupils at St Mark’s C of E Academy, who have created a wonderfully supportive and nurturing learning community. We are very proud of the dedication shown by everyone involved with the academy, and are confident that the academy will continue in this positive trajectory.”