Northmoor Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Strong and committed senior leadership has ensured that this school has got off to a good start. Other leaders have good subject knowledge and demonstrate a real enthusiasm for their areas of responsibility.

However, their accountability for the impact of their actions is still developing and is not as strong as that of senior leaders. The curriculum is carefully designed and frequently evaluated and refined to ensure that it meets the needs of the school's rapidly expanding pupil population. There is strong support for the high numbers of pupils who join the school with little experience of the English language and education system.

Teac...hers and other adults in the 'Welcome Hub' and support teams ensure that these pupils swiftly gain the skills required to access learning. Opportunities for pupils' personal and pastoral development abound in the school and promote inclusion effectively. The school and the Harmony Trust go the extra mile to ensure that families who are new to this country get the support that they need to thrive.

The quality of teaching in school is good. Knowledgeable and committed teachers and teaching assistants promote learning effectively. Pupils make good progress from their starting points in a wide range of subjects.

However, on occasions, particularly in subjects other than reading and writing, most-able pupils have more limited opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding in greater depth. The quality of teaching of phonics in early years and key stage 1 is excellent. However, the support for pupils in key stage 2 to develop their understanding of phonics is not as strong.

The early years is a well-resourced, vibrant and caring place in which children enjoy their learning and make good progress from their starting points. Girls make better progress than boys. However, teachers sometimes do not make best use of the high-quality outdoor environment to promote children's independent learning.

Pupils are immensely proud of their school. This view is shared by their parents and carers. Pupils attend well.

They feel safe and know how to keep safe because of the high-quality guidance they receive.

Information about this school

This was the first inspection of Northmoor Academy since it opened in September 2016. Northmoor is part of the Harmony Trust and as such does not have a governing body.

Governance is undertaken by the board of trustees who are supported by a number of officers, including the chief executive officer of the trust. Northmoor Academy is a larger-than-average school that has unexpectedly and rapidly grown in size since its opening in every year group. This is in response to the shortage of school places in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham.

The mobility of pupils is extremely high. In 2017/18, the mobility of pupils was approximately 60%. In the current year, it is nearly 40%.

During 2017/18, 450 pupils were on roll at some point during the year. However, only 150 of them had completed a full year of education at Northmoor. The majority of pupils are of 'any other white background', and 40% of pupils are new to the United Kingdom since 2017.

Over 30 languages are spoken in the school. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported by the pupil premium funding is higher than average. The proportion of pupils with SEND is above average.

The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is below average. The school provides a breakfast club that is available to all pupils and their families. The school does not use any alternative provision.