Manchester Communication Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 May 2024

Pupils feel a strong sense of belonging at this vibrant school, which is at the heart of the community. Pupils are encouraged to take active roles of responsibility both in and outside of the school. For example, some train as 'guardian angels' who support their younger peers. Other volunteers pack bags of food to be distributed to local families. This culture of care for others helps most pupils to feel happy in school. Most pupils strive to live according to the school rule that requires them to 'put learning first'. Classrooms are calm and orderly environments where pupils are typically attentive to their teachers and focus well on their learning activities. In the main, pupils are respectful towards adults and their peers. Pupils enjoy a raft of opportunities to nurture their existing talents and interests, or to discover new ones. They acquire practical skills, for instance they learn to cook nutritious meals. Pupils unleash their creativity by attending a range of clubs, such as 'write your own TV series' and 'animation drawing'. They are challenged to step outside of their comfort zone to perform in shows or to participate in competitive sports. These experiences help pupils to grow into resilient individuals. Pupils benefit from the school's relentless determination to address social disadvantage through providing them with a high-quality education. Most pupils successfully meet the ambitious standards that the school sets for their achievement.

What the school should improve

• The school's approach to identifying and supporting pupils in key stage 4 who are struggling to read is underdeveloped. This means that some older pupils do not get the support that they need to catch up quickly with their reading knowledge. The school should accelerate its plans to ensure that appropriate support is in place for these pupils so that they learn to read well.

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