Great Smeaton Academy Primary School

September 2013 saw a new and challenging time for the school. I was invited to school with a local outstanding Head Teacher to look at how we might be able to support the school. The Governing Body was concerned, knowing that the school was due an imminent inspection, and wanted to make sure the school was in a position to face it even if the then Principal was still absent from school. Children across the school appeared happy and seemed to be enjoying their learning across four classrooms:

Class One – Reception and Year 1
Class Two – Year 2 and 3
Class Three - Year 4 and 5
Class Four – Year 6

The inspection took place in November 2013 and the school was judged to require improvement based on its Grade 3 for Leadership and Management. In continuing to work with the staff, we looked at the comments made by the Inspection team and made those our starting point alongside our initial findings in the first half term.