Lea Manor High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 January 2026

Pupils are proud of what they know and can do. The high quality of their work reflects how much they enjoy learning. Pupils benefit from strong, trusting relationships with their teachers. They show high levels of motivation in lessons. In the past, pupils did not experience a high-quality curriculum or consistently strong teaching. As a result, some older pupils have gaps in their learning, which has led to weaker outcomes in national examinations for many pupils. Pupils now experience a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum that includes subjects such as music and languages. Teaching is consistently strong, and pupils appreciate how this helps them make secure progress from their individual starting points. Many pupils face significant barriers to learning. A large proportion are disadvantaged. Pupil movement in and out of the school is high, with many joining at different points in the year. There are also a high number of pupils who speak English as an additional language, each at a different stage of learning English. The school takes careful account of these individual circumstances. It matches support well to pupils’ needs and helps them succeed across the curriculum. For example, some pupils receive extra help to improve their reading and writing, while others benefit from strong pastoral support that helps them manage their wellbeing and feel ready to learn. The school has a strong sense of community that pupils feel proud to be part of. Pupils speak very positively about their teachers and are well cared for. Relationships between pupils are positive. Pupils enjoy taking part in clubs, including newer activities such as baking and gardening. Pupils feel safe and secure in school. They behave extremely well in lessons and around the site. As a result of these improvements, attendance has risen quickly and is now in line with national averages.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should sustain their improvements around curriculum and teaching to ensure that pupils achieve improved outcomes in national examinations. • Leaders should more rigorously evaluate the impact of teaching about protected characteristics to ensure all pupils develop a secure understanding of, and respect for, difference.

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