Matthew Arnold School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher, ably supported by senior leaders, is determined and passionate about providing a high-quality education for every pupil. This is at the heart of the school's inclusive ethos. Strong teaching ensures that pupils make good progress in almost all subjects.

However, most-able pupils are not consistently challenged well enough. Governors have a broad range of expertise. They use this to support and challenge leaders.

Most pupils behave well in lessons and around school. They are generally well mannered and polite. Safeguarding is effective.

Pupils feel safe in school and are looked after well. The curriculum is varied... and broad. It offers a wide range of opportunities in academic subjects and some in vocational qualifications.

Consequently, the curriculum fits the needs of pupils. Most teachers have high expectations of pupils. However, there are a small proportion of lessons where pupils do not concentrate as well as they should.

Matthew Arnold School founded the Acer Trust in 2017 along with three other schools. The trust is beginning to benefit the school by providing opportunities for collaboration between the member schools. The sixth form is a vibrant part of the school.

Good teaching challenges students. Well-planned pastoral provision ensures that students are well prepared for their next steps. Students provide positive role models to younger pupils and enjoy the opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

Pupils' attendance declined in 2018, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). However, the attendance of current pupils is improving.

Information about this school

Matthew Arnold School is an above-average-sized secondary school.

The school opened as an academy in September 2015. In January 2017, Matthew Arnold School established the Acer Trust and the headteacher became the CEO of the trust. Three other schools are members of the trust.

The trust delegates aspects of governance to the local governing bodies. The board of trustees is the accountable body for all schools in the Acer Trust. The large majority of pupils are of White British background.

The proportion of pupils who are disadvantaged is below the national average for secondary schools. The proportion of pupils with SEND is similar to the national average for secondary schools. A very small number of pupils attend an alternative provider, Meadowbrook College.