Manor Primary School, located in Birkenhead, Prenton, Merseyside, underwent an inspection on March 21 and 22, 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as requiring improvement, with specific areas of education quality, leadership, and management also marked as needing enhancement. However, the school demonstrated good performance in behavior and attitudes, as well as personal development, while early years provision was also rated as good. This inspection follows a previous evaluation in June 2021, which similarly indicated areas for improvement.
Pupils at Manor Primary School express happiness and a sense of belonging, easily forming friendships and enjoying positive relationships with staff. They feel confident that their concerns will be addressed, and the school effectively manages bullying, contributing to a safe environment. The behavior of pupils is generally commendable, with respect shown towards staff and peers. They typically engage well in lessons and conduct themselves appropriately throughout the school.
The school encourages a love for reading, with pupils actively participating in library activities and local charity events. They take on various responsibilities, such as head boy or girl, prefects, and play leaders. While early years children are thriving, pupils in key stages one and two are not achieving their full potential in some subjects. This is attributed to a lack of effective learning activities designed to help them retain knowledge over time, resulting in some pupils lacking foundational skills.
Leaders and governors are committed to addressing the long-standing weaknesses in educational quality. They have made progress but acknowledge that essential changes are still in the early stages of implementation. The curriculum has been ambitiously developed, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Leaders have carefully considered the knowledge pupils need to learn and the sequence of instruction. However, gaps in learning persist due to previous curriculum weaknesses.
Teachers generally possess strong subject knowledge and effectively explain new concepts. However, the assessment systems for monitoring pupil learning are still developing, leading to some teachers being unaware of what pupils can recall from prior lessons. This gap in understanding can hinder the progression of some pupils through the curriculum. Additionally, there are instances where important curriculum aspects are omitted, and some teachers do not select the most suitable tasks for facilitating learning.
Reading is a focal point of the curriculum, with early years children developing vocabulary and listening skills effectively. Phonics instruction begins in the Reception Year, and staff deliver this curriculum systematically. Pupils are assessed accurately, and those at risk of falling behind receive timely support. Opportunities for reading and listening to stories are abundant, fostering a love for reading among pupils.
While children in early years are well-prepared for key stage one, some pupils with special educational needs do not achieve as well as expected, reflecting gaps in their learning. Overall, pupils enjoy their educational experience, displaying positive attitudes and improved attendance. However, a small number of pupils miss school regularly, impacting their learning opportunities.
Pupils learn about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and participate in various extracurricular activities. However, there is a need for deeper exploration of different cultures and beliefs. Leaders are actively working to address this area. Governors are increasingly challenging leaders to ensure educational quality improves, while also supporting staff well-being. The school has effective safeguarding arrangements in place, with staff trained to protect pupils from harm and respond to concerns promptly.
