Castle Manor Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 December 2024

Pupils are part of a caring community. It is a place where the values of 'working hard, being kind' can be seen across the school. The positive relationships between staff and pupils ensure that there is a culture of trust. Pupils are confident in the school's systems and the people who keep them safe. Typically, pupils build broad knowledge across the curriculum. However, recent outcomes have been variable. The school is taking appropriate steps to ensure these improve. Pupils are eager to learn as a result of their teachers' high expectations. The qualifications that pupils follow enable them to have choices about where they will go on to study. Pupils appreciate the opportunities and information they receive that support them in making decisions about their future steps. Pupils comment positively on the opportunities they have outside lessons. From participation in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, The King's Trust and life skills projects, pupils develop strong leadership skills. The 'Pupil Parliament' is a forum through which pupils can express their views and have a positive impact on school life. Pupils feel proud to hold positions of responsibility that enable them to benefit others, including local and national charities.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the school does not routinely identify errors and misconceptions in pupils' work. As a result, pupils' knowledge is not as accurate as it could be. The school should ensure that assessment practice is consistently rigorous so that teachers systematically tackle errors and misconceptions in pupils' learning so that pupils' learning improves.
• The school does not ensure that teachers share the same high expectations of pupils' written work. As a result, there is inconsistency in how well pupils are able to demonstrate and apply what they have learned in their written work. The school's expectations should be sufficiently well communicated, and policies followed rigorously, to ensure that all pupils understand the importance of the quality of their work and to maintain the highest standards.

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