Middlestone Moor Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 February 2026

Pupils are happy and safe at Middlestone Moor Academy. Leaders have a deep understanding of each and every pupil. They use this knowledge to ensure that all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged or have special educational needs and/or disabilities, can overcome any barriers to learning and be successful. Staff place pupils' wellbeing at the centre of all the school does. Every pupil's voice is valued here. The school's well-embedded oracy curriculum enables pupils to build confidence and discuss their learning with eloquence and detail. This is especially successful in key stage 2, where lessons promote curiosity and engagement with learning. Pupils in this key stage recall past learning well. They are well motivated to learn more. Consequently, most children achieve in line with national expectations. When this is not the case, the school puts in bespoke support to help pupils succeed. Relationships between staff and pupils are respectful and considerate. This supports pupils to learn how to respect others. Pupils say behaviour is usually positive and pupils are kind to each other. They say that if issues arise, including in relation to bullying, they would report them to staff. They are confident that resolutions would be found and problems solved. Pupils attend regularly and most are keen to learn. Pupils' personal development is the bedrock for all learning. The curriculum for personal, social, health and economic education is utilised well to prepare pupils for life beyond the school. Pupils apply learning from these lessons into their own lives. For example, they discuss important issues, such as valuing different cultures and understanding difference, with knowledge and sensitivity. Most parents say they are confident that the school supports their children well. They value the helpful communication from staff if they have any concerns or require updates on their child's learning.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that staff fully understand how the early years curriculum enables children to build their knowledge over time. They should support staff to design high-quality learning experiences and purposeful interactions, so that all children are prepared well for key stage 1.
• Leaders should ensure there is effective support for those pupils in the early years and key stage 1 who need help to behave well, so that no learning opportunities are missed and pupils engage positively with learning.
• Leaders should ensure pupils consistently benefit from well-designed learning opportunities, especially in phonics and early reading, to enable them to achieve well.

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