++ School inspectors highlight leaders’ effective actions for pupil learning ++
++ Report praises school leaders in identifying and tackling weaknesses to significantly improve provision ++
Staff and pupils at Landau Forte Academy Moorhead are celebrating after high praise from Ofsted following a monitoring inspection. The school was judged to be taking “effective action” for improvement, and is rapidly tackling the areas highlighted as weaknesses in the previous inspection.
The report highlights that school leaders have effectively decided which areas most needed to improve and wasted no time in tackling previous weaknesses. The improvements they have made here “have provided a secure foundation for future development”.
There is a real sense of team spirit across the school, with all staff aligned in a common vision to make things better for pupils. Staff were also clear that they were well supported by school leaders, and have had training to help them develop in their roles. Staff are included in decisions about designing the school curriculum, and feel that leaders are considerate of their well-being and workload.
Landau Forte Academy Moorhead’s governance has also significantly improved due to the addition of several new governors. They are providing much-needed expertise, and are rigorous in checking that leaders’ actions are making a positive impact on pupils’ education, and continue to challenge and support the school’s leaders.
Pupil behaviour is much improved and the number of incidents of disruption in lessons is reducing. The school’s behaviour management system has been reformed to be simpler and clearer, meaning that staff are more consistent in tackling low-level disruption and ensuring a better learning environment for their pupils. Children are happy and keen learners, and enjoy talking about what they are learning in class.
School leaders have worked hard to tackle any weaknesses in their early years provision to ensure that the youngest children get the best possible start in life. Children are developing their communication and language skills well, and staff have high ambitions for what their youngest pupils should be able to do.
Across the school there is a clear vision for what they want the new curriculum to look like, and how they want the school to continue to improve. School leaders and staff are united in their belief that pupils will be well prepared for secondary school, with high aspirations and a rich understanding of their career options after school. Pupils have a wide range of opportunities to develop their skills and interests outside of the classroom, including their recent Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics day.
Ruth McNeil, Headteacher at Landau Forte Academy Moorhead, said:
“We are all absolutely delighted with this Ofsted report, which really does sum up all the great work that our staff and pupils put in every day at Moorhead. I have been so impressed with them all during this last year, which has been so challenging, but everyone here has responded with so much positivity, determination and hard work. We are all so committed to making sure our pupils have the best possible time at school, and it’s brilliant to see that Ofsted think that we’re doing exactly that.”
Sarah Findlay-Cobb, Chief Executive Officer at Landau Forte Charitable Trust, said:
“Congratulations to Ruth and her team, and all the pupils at Landau Forte Academy Moorhead, for this fantastic report. It’s great to see that Ofsted have recognised the hard work that I have seen them all putting in, and I am so pleased for everyone at the school. It has been clear to see for some time that Moorhead is offering a great education for its pupils, and I have every confidence that the team will continue to move from strength to strength of the back of this glowing inspection report.”