Barton Manor School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 May 2025

A palpable sense of ambition is evident in all aspects of school life. Pupils live up to the school's motto of 'Aspire, Believe and Achieve'. They try their best because staff recognise and celebrate the unique qualities and achievements of each pupil. Pupils participate enthusiastically in all that the school offers them. Careers education weaves through academic learning. Pupils understand real-world application of classroom learning in industry and they are extremely well informed to make ambitious plans for their future. Clear routines and high expectations of behaviour help pupils feel safe. Lessons are calm and focused as teachers are consistent with their expectations. Pupils arrive at lessons on time, with the appropriate equipment. Pupils contribute to the culture of kindness that permeates the school. Social times are vibrant and fun, with pupils taking part in a plethora of lunch clubs or happily chatting to each other and staff. Positive relationships, built on trust, mean that pupils are confident that staff will help them if they need it. Most pupils enjoy learning and achieve well. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive thoughtful help to engage fully with education and school life. The school carefully identifies and meets the needs of pupils with SEND. The school provides effective support to ensure disadvantaged pupils achieve well.

What the school should improve

• Though the school has started to put in place support for the small minority of pupils who find it more difficult to manage their behaviour, actions are not fully meeting pupils' needs. Therefore, some pupils receive regular consequences and suspensions which potentially increase the risk of further disengaging them from education. The school must ensure these pupils have the support they need to help them manage their behaviour positively.
• In a minority of lessons, teachers do not always adapt their teaching in response to gaps in pupils' understanding. This means, at times, learning moves on before pupils understand concepts correctly. The school must ensure that all staff have the expertise they need to identify misconceptions and adapt learning so that pupils are able to achieve the ambitious aims of the curriculum.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)