Moorside High School, located in Swinton, Manchester, has been recognized as a good school following its inspection on March 9 and 10, 2022. The school is characterized by a caring community where leaders maintain high expectations for pupil behavior and learning. Students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, achieve well due to the strong relationships built between staff and pupils. The school environment is safe and supportive, allowing pupils to feel confident in reporting any concerns, particularly regarding bullying, which is addressed promptly by staff.
Pupils at Moorside High School are noted for their friendliness, politeness, and respect for diversity. They generally learn effectively in a calm atmosphere with minimal disruptions, demonstrating good behavior throughout the school, including during breaks. The school offers a variety of clubs and activities that engage and inspire students, such as drama productions and various sports clubs. Parents and carers express high levels of satisfaction with the support their children receive from the school.
The curriculum at Moorside High School has been positively reviewed, with leaders taking steps to refresh and strengthen it. The English Baccalaureate suite of subjects is central to the curriculum for key stage four, and improvements have also been made to the key stage three curriculum, particularly in modern foreign languages. Most subject leaders have carefully organized their curriculums, ensuring that pupils can build on their prior knowledge through regular revisiting of learned material. This structured approach contributes to the overall achievement of pupils.
However, there are areas for improvement. In a few subjects, the curriculum design lacks clarity regarding the key knowledge that pupils should acquire and the sequence in which it should be taught. This can hinder the depth of learning and slow progress. Additionally, while most teachers effectively use assessment strategies to gauge pupil understanding, some do not utilize this information adequately to identify misconceptions, leading to gaps in knowledge.
The school is proactive in supporting pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they can access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. Leaders emphasize the importance of developing reading and vocabulary skills, with pupils reading regularly and benefiting from targeted support programs. The personal development curriculum fosters responsible citizenship, and pupils are well-prepared for life in modern Britain, demonstrating an understanding of healthy relationships and cultural diversity.
Moorside High School also provides a robust careers program, with a high percentage of pupils, including those with special educational needs, progressing into further education, employment, or training. The governance structure, including trustees and local governors, plays a vital role in supporting school improvement, and staff report feeling valued and proud to work at the school.
The safeguarding measures in place are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance and training among staff. Pupils are educated on safety issues, including online safety and risks such as knife crime. Overall, while Moorside High School is performing well, it is essential for leaders to address the identified areas for improvement in curriculum design and assessment practices to enhance the educational experience for all pupils.