Inspectors visited St Teresa's Academy in Malins Road last month, carrying out deep dives into various subjects, watching lessons, reviewing curriculum plans and progression documents and holding discussions with leaders, staff, children, parents and governors – and found that strong progress had been made in all areas.
In their report, inspectors say leaders have 'created a warm and welcoming school, where difference is celebrated and where everyone can thrive'. There are 'positive relationships between pupils and staff' and pupils enjoy attending school and 'love to learn'. Pupils behave well, make friends quickly and get along well together.
The school's new curriculum is 'well planned and sequenced' right through from the early years to the end of Year 6, and leaders have 'ensured that pupils develop a love of reading', implementing a well understood reading strategy across the whole school which means 'pupils read frequently for pleasure’.
Staff are trained well to meet the needs of pupils who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), assessing children as soon as they join the school in order to identify any unmet special needs. Staff use their expertise to help pupils with SEND access all parts of school life and, as a result, they are well supported.
The school offers 'very many clubs', from crafts and sports to academic classes, which are well attended by all pupils, and there is a focus on the development of the whole child, with pupils encouraged to 'discover their talents and interests and go to places they may never think to visit'.
Trustees, local governors and executive leaders are 'knowledgeable about the school', supporting leaders to recruit staff with the right expertise which has helped ensure pupils receive a good quality of education.
Inspectors judged the overall effectiveness of St Teresa's Academy to be Good, with each inspection area – the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision – also rated Good. The school had previously been found to require improvement in 2021.
Principal Stacy McHale said: "We are very proud of the rapid improvements we have made in all areas. We have worked closely with other Wolverhampton schools from our St Francis and St Clare Trust and from the local area to ensure we have an ambitious and broad curriculum coupled with many wider opportunities to prepare children for successful lives.
"Our motto is very evident each day as we 'Pray together, aspire together, achieve together' and our wonderful pupils will always be at the heart of all we do here.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, governors, St Francis & St Clare Trust directors and all of our parents for their continuing support and feedback. There is much to look forward to in the future of St Teresa’s as we continue our mission of excellence."
Toni Ellis, CEO of St Francis & St Clare Trust, said: “Since Stacy McHale joined the school and St Francis & St Clare Trust, St Teresa’s has improved at pace, embedding a high quality of education in its broadest sense. This community and city deserve the best educational opportunities and we are delighted that St Teresa’s is a part of this.”
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "Huge congratulations to everyone at St Teresa’s Academy which has made excellent progress over the last few years and achieved a well deserved Good outcome.
"This is testament to the hard work of Stacy McHale, her staff, governors, parents and pupils – well done everybody."
Latest figures show 92% of schools in Wolverhampton are now rated either Good or Outstanding, above the regional and national average. In addition, more than 9 in 10 Wolverhampton pupils attend Good or Outstanding schools, the best in the West Midlands.
