Pupils are very proud of their school. They describe it as a kind and welcoming place that promotes a keen sense of family, community and inclusion.
Ofsted Full Inspection

The Academy’s ambitious curriculum features academic and creative development with a global outlook.
SIAMS Full Inspection

At St Mary Magdalene Academy, we aim to nurture young people to become high achievers and to discover their vocation in a global society. We have a strong focus on getting to know each child individually, pushing them to achieve their personal best whilst also ensuring that they become well-rounded, responsible citizens.

The school motto, show by a good life that your works are done by gentleness born of wisdom, taken from James’ book of the Bible lies at the core of our values. Fundamentally, it is about being decent people.

The Academy's strap-line’ is Happy and Successful. We focus on ensuring that pupils are happy in school, that they feel part of the family, so they are able to flourish and be successful. As part of ensuring that pupils are happy, we have a House system with ‘Family Groups’ and a ‘Guardian’ with only about 20 pupils within each group. The impact of that, knowing each other positively and supportively, is significant as pupils move around the building or use the play spaces.

Our curriculum offer is broad and balanced, ensuring that pupils have access to a range of different subjects. In the Lower School, pupils are taught the ISEB (Independent School Exam Board) curriculum, which ensures the pupils are well challenged and prepared for the academic journey ahead. In the Upper School, pupils work towards nine GCSEs with the possibility of some pupils doing more with courses in Astronomy, Further Maths and extra languages available to those interested. At Sixth Form, we have an academically selective offer for pupils to study A Levels with the view that they will then head off to top universities or higher-level apprenticeships.

Outside of the classroom, we have a broad extracurricular offer in music, drama, and sport, with clubs ranging from the Debate Club to the Acting Academy, all the way to the Dungeons and Dragons Society. As well as this, pupils can sign up to Masterclasses, which are inspiring talks or workshops delivered by a range of successful individuals, from Permanent Secretaries, Nobel Prize winners, to Booker Prize-winning authors. All of these experiences ensure that the pupils leave the Academy as ambitious, talented and well-rounded individuals. 

John Reardon
Secondary Headteacher

When the Good Schools Guide visited us. They said “A shining example of an excellent school. Parents and pupils are aware they have picked the golden ticket if they can get an education here – the results are evidence of top quality teaching, and the children’s involvement and happiness are enhanced by the wide enrichment programme, whilst the pastoral care provides a tight safety net. If you want a top-notch inclusive comprehensive education,                       this is the place to go.”

Please click the Goods Schools Guide icon to read the full report.