Aughton Primary Academy Excellence

July 6, 2026

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Aughton Primary Academy is a school committed to equity and belonging with a focus on raising aspirations and fostering positive relationships. There is a genuine culture of excellence for all, with a focus on every child as a valuable individual. Every staff member embodies the school motto “We believe that our children can do anything they set their mind to.” Aughton Academy serves a diverse community of pupils, including those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds or those with special educational needs, and a number of pupils with Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). They have a well embedded ethos of setting every child up to succeed, which is championed by the Senior Leadership Team. All staff work tirelessly to ensure all children have access to high quality teaching and personalised provision from the very start of their learning journey at Aughton Academy.

The academy follows the ACET curriculum and has effective collaboration with other schools in the trust which allows for the sharing of expertise. The curriculum demonstrate a focus on supporting the acquiring of foundational skills and providing a platform from which all children can succeed. Additionally, through the bespoke Aughton Aspirations Personal Development Curriculum, underpinned by the “National Trust One Hundred Things To Do Before You Are Ten Years Old”, the school promote a local, national, and international dimension.

Meeting diverse needs

The focus on inclusive practice ensures a range of diverse needs are met effectively and teaching and learning is responsive to presenting need and ever-changing circumstances. Adaptations are impressively and sensitively matched to individual needs thus demonstrating the strong commitment to inclusion within the whole class facilitated through personalised provision at child level. A holistic, collaborative, and reflective approach to policy development and decision making is clearly embedded. For example, a parent questionnaire is completed twice a year to gather views which are used to inform and improve practice and provision. Staff contributions are valued and respected. Staff as well as pupils benefit from well-integrated wellbeing support, including Friday lunch get togethers, work from home options, preparation time, and “tickets” for half day leave.

The dedication staff at Aughton Academy show to inclusive practice, focused on ensuring every child is encouraged to learn and supported to succeed through a highly personalised approach, is noteworthy. There is truly a relentless focus on learning and achievement for all which clearly supports children to experience success and develop self-belief.

A culture of high expectations, inclusive quality first teaching and sensitive personalised provision permeated all aspects of the visit to Aughton Academy. The sharp focus on identifying and removing barriers to learning and closing the gap featured prominently. High-quality learning environments are well thought out, ensuring every available space is utilised to facilitate a range of teaching and learning approaches. The drive for inclusion is clearly shown in the regular audit of resources and use of child voice, with resource adaptations being well thought out, readily available, understood by all and sensitively used. Visual timetables are displayed on walls, and ear defenders, fidget toys to aid concentration and individual sensory resource baskets are made available.

Community and family engagement

Parents, carers, and guardians clearly have confidence in Aughton Academy, reflected in parent surveys. Extensive work is carried out to foster positive relationships. The SENDCo spoke in depth about the family support provided to parents, underpinning their confidence to make decisions in their child’s best interests.

An array of parent events are held throughout the school year including colour runs, craft activities and sports events. Workshops are offered on how to support learning at home in a range of subjects, and an inclusion focused coffee morning serves as a space for parents to relax, chat and share ideas.

Community partnerships have been formed and are used effectively to both enhance learning opportunities outside of school and encourage the community to contribute to school life. This includes working with other educational establishments including the local secondary school to provide extra swimming lessons for children who do not have access to this opportunity outside of school. Aughton Academy engages with Rotherham United Football Club as part of strategic planning to provide opportunity to engage with male role models through aspiration focused work, as well as the opportunity to play football on the pitch. Leaders facilitate an event in which elderly residents attending a day care centre visit school to have lunch and play games with the children, demonstrating the welcoming and community focused ethos of the school.

Aughton Primary Academy works to promote inclusion throughout all elements of their school. We are proud to recognise them with Centre of Excellence status.