The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. Visitors to Stewards Academy are warmly welcomed, and immediately struck by the school’s positive climate and the cohesiveness of its staff and pupils. You balance nicely the demand for high standards with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The school runs like clockwork: pupils are impeccably behaved and everything is purposeful and well organised. Stewards Academy has a well-deserved reputation locally, which is reflected in the overwhelmingly positive comments on Parent View (Ofsted’s online questionnaire). Parents who responded were fulsome in their support for you and your staff; 95% of respondents said they would recommend the school to other parents. They praised a wide range of aspects of the school’s work including the ‘astounding extra-curricular activities’, ‘the incredible standard of school productions’ and ‘fabulous trips’. Parents recognise the time and effort that staff put into supporting the pupils, with specific mention of ‘the fantastic transition arrangements’ and the ‘brilliant pastoral support managers’. The school has benefited from strong continuity in its leadership and governance. Leaders have preserved and consolidated what the school does well while constantly seeking ways to improve. Staff value the excellent support that the school provides for them. As headteacher, you have modelled your high expectations for everyone to follow. Importantly, the school’s stability does not make it inward-looking; staff are ever-alert to ways of widening the pupils’ horizons, aspirations and experiences, and of improving further. A few parents expressed anxiety about whether the school would maintain its standards when you retire at the end of this academic year. However, leadership capacity across governance and the senior and middle leadership teams is strong. The governing body has provided good strategic leadership for the school. Governors have a broad skill set, are well informed and effectively hold senior leaders to account. They are proud of what the school has achieved but realistic about where results need to improve. Teaching observed during the inspection was lively and engaging. Work was well planned, with a wide range of high-quality resources to support learning. Classrooms provide a stimulating environment, and good relationships between adults and pupils mean learning proceeds apace, and without interruption. In every class, pupils demonstrated positive attitudes to learning; they sustained their concentration, listened carefully and worked steadily. Assessment is a notable strength: teachers provide high-quality feedback to pupils so that they know where they have done well and what they can do to improve. Pupils’ behaviour, judged outstanding at the last inspection, was exemplary during this visit. Pupils show remarkable maturity in their interactions with one another and with adults. These positive attitudes are reflected in their good attendance and the care they take to complete their work to a high standard. Around the school, pupils are considerate and courteous. They rise to the challenge of having additional responsibilities and are highly appreciative of the unwavering support that their teachers provide. When asked what was best about Stewards Academy, the pupils simply said ‘the teachers’. The pupils, parents and staff say that the school is like a family, in the best sense of the word, in that everyone looks out for one another and appreciates the efforts, attributes and achievements of others. After recently eating lunch with you as headteacher, one young pupil brought you in a chocolate cake, so worried was he that you were not eating enough! Safeguarding is effective. Leaders, including governors, are meticulous in making sure that the school meets all statutory safeguarding requirements. Policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and thoroughly. The school’s systems for recording incidents of concern are very rigorous. Training and induction of new staff are thorough. All adults show vigilance and awareness of different aspects of safeguarding. Your close monitoring of the attendance of vulnerable pupils, and pupils who attend off-site provision for some or all of the week, means that you know they are safe.