St Matthews Church of England Academy, Stoke-on-Trent

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades St Matthews Church of England Academy on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "The school puts inclusion at the centre of everything it does."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Most pupils progress well through the curriculum as they move through the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders take a proactive approach to improving attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of how well the curriculum and teaching are working across the school."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise the early years."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "School leaders have a clear and ambitious vision for the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a thoughtful and well-organised personal development programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should make sure that the agreed high-quality teaching approaches and expectations are consistently embedded in all year groups and across the curriculum, particularly in writing"; "Leaders should provide more opportunities for pupils to develop secure, detailed understanding across the personal development curriculum, especially in learning about different faiths and cultures".

In its own words: "We aim to be a family community rooted in equality where everyone feels safe, happy and valued as a cherished member of our Christian academy and create resilience, hope and aspirations for the future. We will provide a caring environment where children and staff are given opportunities to flourish through inspirational learning, love and laughter."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a real privilege to welcome you to St Matthew's Church of England Primary Academy. Having served as Head of School here for the past nine years, I know our school deeply and hold a genuine affection for its children, families and staff."

The school runs after-school care until 4:00pm.

In 2025, 94% of Year 6 pupils at St Matthews Church of England Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 73% in Stoke-on-Trent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 67% in reading and 44% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 5 families put St Matthews Church of England Academy as their first choice and 19 named it as one of their preferences, for 5 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Matthews Church of England Academy are Meir Heath Academy (0.4 miles, Good, 76% reading, 78% maths); St Augustine's Catholic Academy (1.1 miles, Good, 66% reading, 52% maths); Sandon Primary Academy (1.1 miles, Outstanding, 72% reading, 70% maths); and Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy (1.5 miles, Outstanding, 75% reading, 80% maths).

St Matthews Church of England Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

St Matthews Church of England Academy is one of 19 schools run by St Chad's Academies Trust, an academy trust.

In 2026, 6 pupils (8.8%) received SEN support and 4 (5.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

St Matthews Church of England Academy had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Blythe Bridge Rail Station, about 2.1 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Swynnerton Arms PH (opposite), 370 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Matthews Church of England Academy stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 28 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Stoke-on-Trent (280).

In 2024/25, St Matthews Church of England Academy issued 5 suspensions, 6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.