Manorside Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school All leaders, supported by the advisory committee, are highly ambitious for all pupils to succeed, and these high ambitions have been realised in the exceptional quality of education achieved. Teaching is highly effective.

Teachers set tasks which challenge pupils to give of their best. School leaders at all levels regularly and vigorously check the quality of teaching and learning. They also support staff well in enhancing their skills further.

Pupils' progress has increased rapidly. All groups, including disadvantaged pupils, make exceptional progress. Many pupils join the school with levels of skill and knowledge below what is u...sually expected, and by Year 6 pupils' attainment is increasingly above age-related expectations.

However, progress in writing is not always as rapid as in reading and mathematics. The excellent progress begins in Reception, where children's development is well above expectations. As a result, children are well prepared for Year 1.

The curriculum enables pupils to develop excellent core English and mathematics skills. Pupils are also highly motivated to learn as a result of the range of interesting topics which the school has developed. Behaviour is outstanding.

Pupils love learning, and their very evident enthusiasm to take part and do well is a key factor in lessons. Pupils feel very safe and valued. They enjoy taking on responsibility.

Pupils quickly develop confidence, and staff encourage them to think about their work and take pride in it. Attendance has improved considerably in the current and most recent school year. Staff work vigorously to increase the attendance of the few pupils whose parents do not ensure regular attendance.

The school provides a very safe environment in which pupils thrive. Staff are trained thoroughly to ensure that pupils develop emotionally and are equipped with the skills to help them in the next phase of their education. School leaders actively support their colleagues in other schools.

Staff have taken advantage of the many opportunities to develop their own skills through regular contacts with colleagues in other academies sponsored by the trust.

Information about this school

Manorside Academy is an average-sized school. It is sponsored by the Ambitions Academies Trust, which officially took over the running of the school in April 2015 and which sponsors several other academies in the local area.

The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is almost twice the national average. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above the national average. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils with English as an additional language is close to the national average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations of pupils' attainment and progress by the time they leave school. The principal is a local leader of education.