Ingleby Manor Free School and Sixth Form, located in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, received a positive inspection report following its evaluation on November 30 and December 1, 2022. The school was rated as good overall, with outstanding ratings in behavior and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The quality of education was also deemed good, reflecting the school's commitment to providing a supportive and effective learning environment.
Pupils at Ingleby Manor are noted for their politeness and welcoming nature. They consistently demonstrate good behavior and show consideration for one another, contributing to a friendly and inclusive school community. The school fosters high engagement in lessons, benefiting from high-quality teaching. Leaders at the school maintain high aspirations for their pupils and are dedicated to continually improving the curriculum. An increasing number of students are opting for more challenging qualifications, including the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects, indicating a culture of high expectations that pupils respond to positively. The school emphasizes the value of lesson time, and pupils achieve commendable results in external examinations. Respectful relationships between pupils and staff further enhance the learning environment.
The curriculum at Ingleby Manor extends beyond academic subjects, offering a wide range of extracurricular opportunities and clubs. These activities allow pupils to engage positively with the local community, exemplified by initiatives such as a recent collection for a local food bank organized by the student leadership group. While instances of bullying do occur, they are rare, and pupils feel confident that teachers address such issues effectively. The school provides robust support for pupils to raise concerns, ensuring they feel heard and supported by staff.
Leaders have thoughtfully designed a well-rounded curriculum that prepares pupils for life beyond school. The school has implemented programs focusing on character development, such as the earn your marks initiative in key stage three, which prepares students for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in key stage four. Pupils appreciate the graduation ceremony associated with this program in Year 9. The school also offers high-quality careers information and guidance, providing pupils with opportunities to engage with further education providers and employers, although work experience opportunities have been limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Attendance at Ingleby Manor is good, especially in the context of the pandemic, and leaders have established effective systems to further improve attendance. They work closely with families to address reasons for absence. The behavior of pupils is commendable, with positive interactions observed throughout the school.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, with increased pastoral support and efficient systems for sharing information to ensure pupils' well-being. Pupils feel safe and receive quality information on how to maintain their safety. The safeguarding team is well-trained and advocates for the pupils they support. Governors take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously, ensuring appropriate checks are in place.
Despite the overall positive evaluation, the inspection identified some areas for improvement. There is variation in how effectively the planned curriculum is delivered in certain subjects, which can impact pupil progress. Leaders are encouraged to continue their staff training program to ensure a consistently high standard of teaching across all subjects. Overall, Ingleby Manor Free School and Sixth Form demonstrates a strong commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational experience for its pupils.
