Manor Hill First School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 September 2023

Manor Hill First School is a caring school where pupils are happy and safe. Parents and carers are very positive about the school. One parent summed up the views of many when they said, 'This is more than a school: it is a community where children and families are supported and cared for.' Pupils are proud to attend their school. They behave well in lessons and at playtimes. Pupils can explain what bullying is. They say that bullying sometimes happens, but adults will deal with it quickly. The school has high expectations of all pupils. Staff want all pupils at the school, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to achieve their very best. Pupils enjoy school and feel well supported. They can clearly articulate how the school's core values of exploration, resilience, creativity and collaboration help them to learn. They understand the importance of these values. Pupils can participate in a wide range of experiences that feature on the 'wheel of champion opportunities'. These include litter picking, meeting an inspirational person and visiting a theatre. Pupils also enjoy attending clubs such as cookery and dance, and value opportunities to help their local community.

What the school should improve

• Not all staff are as expert in teaching phonics as leaders would like. As a result of this, there is some variability in how well the early reading curriculum is delivered. This means that some pupils do not make as much progress as they could with their reading. The school should ensure that all staff receive the guidance they need to teach phonics effectively.
• Occasionally, some staff do not use activities that help all pupils to learn the curriculum. As a result, some pupils do not remember as much as they could. Leaders should ensure that staff provide activities which support pupils to remember more across the curriculum.

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