St Andrew’s Church School in Bath has been widely praised for its warm, inclusive environment that ensures every pupil feels a genuine sense of belonging. The school, part of the Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust, was recently inspected by Simon Stevens as part of the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS). He commended the school for truly embodying its foundation as a Church school and fostering growth for both pupils and staff.
Inspector Stevens highlighted the unwavering dedication of staff to inclusion, particularly noting how quickly newly arrived pupils and their families become part of the school community. He emphasised the high expectations set by staff, which inspire pupils to aim high themselves.
The report celebrated the school’s dynamic, diverse, and inclusive atmosphere, with its Christian vision—rooted in the promise of “life in all its fullness” from John’s gospel—guiding daily life. With 242 pupils, St Andrew’s offers a broad array of opportunities including music, performance, and leadership roles such as leading collective worship, allowing children to discover and develop their strengths.
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Collective worship was described as a vital contributor to the spiritual growth of everyone involved, cultivating a secure and cherished environment. Religious education was identified as a particular strength, with engaging lessons that encourage thoughtful debate. The curriculum balances teachings on Christianity with exploration of other world religions and profound ethical questions.
For future development, the inspector recommended incorporating non-religious perspectives more deeply into religious education and making the language around spirituality clearer.
Executive headteacher Naomi Boyce expressed her delight with the outcome, saying, “We are all thrilled with the outcome and feel the inspector really captured what is at the heart of St Andrew’s. I am hugely proud of this highly positive report and want to thank every member of our wonderfully supportive school community.”