St Michael’s Church of England (Aided) Primary School in Flixton, Manchester, was inspected on 21 and 22 November 2023. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as good, with similar ratings across various aspects including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school was previously rated outstanding during its last inspection 16 years ago, and the recent inspection reflects the current educational framework and any changes since the last graded inspection.
Pupils at St Michael’s are happy and take pride in their school community. They demonstrate care for one another, with older students serving as buddies to younger pupils, fostering a sense of security and support. The school promotes positive interactions during playtime, with well-organized activities that encourage teamwork and engagement. Most pupils exhibit a strong focus during lessons and show enthusiasm for learning. The school sets high expectations for all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and pupils achieve commendably in core subjects like English and mathematics by the end of key stage two. While achievement in some other areas of the curriculum is not as high, pupils still perform well overall.
The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, having recently adopted new subject curriculums that outline learning expectations for each year. However, there is a noted inconsistency in the early years curriculum, where the specific learning objectives are not as clearly defined. This lack of clarity can hinder staff in preparing children adequately for Year 1. In contrast, the English and mathematics curriculums are well-structured and consistently delivered, resulting in exceptional pupil achievement in these subjects. In some other subjects, the curriculum is not fully embedded, leading to less optimal outcomes for pupils.
The school has effective systems in place to monitor pupil achievement during lessons, providing timely feedback to help correct misunderstandings. Early identification of pupils with SEND is a strength, ensuring they receive the necessary support to access the curriculum alongside their peers. The school actively promotes a love of reading through initiatives such as daily story time and a well-implemented phonics curriculum, which helps struggling readers catch up quickly.
Behaviour throughout the school day is generally positive, with calm and purposeful learning environments. Relationships between pupils and staff are built on mutual respect, and children in early years quickly adapt to class routines, setting a positive tone for their educational journey. The school prepares pupils for life in modern Britain by teaching them about diversity and respect for others. They engage with the community through various projects and charitable events, enhancing their understanding of social responsibility.
Staff express high levels of satisfaction with their work environment, appreciating the support provided, especially for new teachers. The school takes measures to manage staff workload effectively. Governors are actively involved and understand their roles well.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. However, the school needs to improve its oversight of curriculum implementation in certain subjects to ensure they are delivered as intended and have the desired impact on learning. Additionally, the early years curriculum requires further development to clarify learning expectations for staff. Overall, St Michael’s Church of England Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a quality education while identifying areas for growth and improvement.
