‘One World in One School’
George Salter Academy is a large secondary school located in West Bromwich that is part of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) Multi Academy Trust (MAT). Ofsted Inspection Data Summary Report (IDSR) 2019 stated, “it is an inclusive multicultural academy serving a community of high socio-economic deprivation, highest quintile.”
The school slogan is ‘one world in one school’. There are 1,350 students on roll of whom 37% are eligible for Pupil Premium (PP) funding. Currently 6.2% of students receive Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support and 1.6% are Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) students. The school is currently heavily oversubscribed with 730 applications in 2022/23 for 250 places. Academic results are at their highest ever recorded as a result of a consistent approach to pedagogy, highly developed early identification and support, strong pastoral teams and an emphasis on character education. The school was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in May 2017 so inspection is now well overdue.
Pupils are well behaved, polite and move around the site effectively, especially given the large numbers involved. Facilities are of a high quality including AstroTurf pitches, a sports hall and a large theatre space. The dining facilities have been considerably enlarged over the summer to better facilitate numbers at lunchtime and food is available from a number of outlets around the school. Trust and warm relationships are evident between staff and pupils.
The school holds the following awards, the Sandwell Charter Mark, School of Character, Quality in Careers Standard, OAT Trust Wide Inclusion Award and a Year 11 pupil won the National Social Action Award last year. The school is currently working towards the Inclusive School Award and Digital Online Safety Awards.
Ambitious for Every Child
The overarching approach of the school is best captured by its vision which states, “we are George Salter Academy and we are ambitious for every child. We defy disadvantage and believe that all students, regardless of their background should be equally able to realise personal goals, achieve outstanding outcomes and reach their full potential. We promise to provide the same breadth and depth to our curriculum and provision for all students, regardless of background and prior attainment.”
The school is at the heart of its community, raising aspirations through positive, ‘can do’ attitudes and supporting individual needs, whilst stretching and providing challenge for all. Staff create the conditions to fail safely by checking frequently for understanding in lessons which prevents misconception from becoming embedded and creates the supportive classroom culture.
This is important because it demonstrates to pupils that staff care about them enough to not let them fail. The environment provides structure, routine and consistency to help support high expectations, opportunities and choices. The fundamental belief of leaders is that, “success breeds success”.
Over the course of our Assessor’s visit this was demonstrated time and again through the highly enriched curriculum, research informed approaches and tireless commitment to supporting the most vulnerable pupils. This has helped to foster a sense of agency for pupils which helps raise aspirations and a belief that they can thrive in the future. One pupil excitedly explained that they wanted to be a barrister when they were older. This sense of belief and optimism for the future has the potential to be truly life changing.
Find out more about the IQM Inclusive School Award
If your school is interested in obtaining the IQM Inclusive School Award or you wish to talk to a member of the IQM team please telephone:
028 7127 7857 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm)
or email: [email protected] for further details.
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