Ofsted says Caddington academy needs attention after inspection
An academy in Caddington has been told it needs attention after an inspection by Ofsted.
Manshead CE Academy was visited by inspectors in February and scored ‘needs attention’ - the second lowest rating - in five of the seven areas of assessment.
A spokesperson for the school said: “The report reflects the school improvement journey we are on, highlighting areas where we have made significant improvements.
“Our safeguarding standards were met, and we were extremely pleased to have met the expected standard for Personal Development and Wellbeing and for our Post-16 provision.”
Ofsted found that Attendance was still an issue for the school, and despite some improvement for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), overall attendance remains low.
The report, published this month, stated: “Persistent absence also continues to be a significant barrier, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.”
Behaviour around the school was improving, and in lessons was described as “generally positive”, with only some low-level disruption.
Inspectors said: “The school is generally calm, orderly and respectful. Pupils arrive to lessons on time, settle quickly and show positive attitudes to learning.
“Pupils report that incidents of bullying, discrimination or derogatory language are rare.”
The school’s sixth form was praised in the report and met the expected standard.
Students were described as being well prepared for their next steps and were given “high-quality, personalised careers information, education advice and guidance”.
The report stated: “Leaders have a strong and accurate understanding of the quality and suitability of the post-16 study programmes. These are carefully designed and adapted to meet students’ needs and reflect the school’s context.”
The quality of teaching and assessment was deemed inconsistent, particularly in key stage 3.
The inspectors noted: “In some subjects, pupils do not learn or remember enough because teaching does not always build on pupils' prior knowledge or address gaps effectively.
“Support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities is also variable.”
Leaders have been told to make sure that the curriculum is taught consistently well across all years and subjects so that “pupils gain the detailed knowledge to achieve well”.
The spokesperson said: “To move closer to the ‘expected standard’ in areas where we have been judged as ‘needs attention’, we need more time to embed the changes that have been made thus far and to further develop the provision across our school.”
The school was also told to improve how it tailors support to pupils who have barriers to their learning.
Ofsted said: “...teaching does not always reduce barriers to learning, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and pupils at the early stages of learning to read.”
Pupils' personal development and well-being were also an area highlighted in the report, with it being rated as meeting the expected standard.
The school’s spokesperson added: “For our students, our report demonstrates that they feel proud to be a part of a caring school community, rooted in its Christian ethos. Our students feel safe, known and listened to and they are provided with a broad range of opportunities and experiences to enrich their education.”