Moorside High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 May 2026

Pupils are proud of this school and embrace the qualities of the ‘Moorside Way’. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), belong to a safe and supportive school community. Pupils benefit from positive relationships with staff and their peers. Staff know pupils very well, and this supports a culture of mutual respect. Bullying is rare and, if it does happen, pupils know that leaders will address it quickly. Staff support and encourage pupils to enjoy the wide range of opportunities on offer, for example flag football, lacrosse and visits to local museums. These opportunities help pupils to find new hobbies and interests. Some pupils also hold leadership responsibilities and appreciate these roles. Pupils feel valued and heard. They understand the part they play in creating a positive school culture. Generally, pupils attend school regularly. Most pupils understand the importance of high attendance. Staff praise pupils when their attendance is high or improving. When appropriate, leaders provide support to help reduce pupils’ barriers to attendance. This includes supporting families when necessary. Pupils benefit from a staff team that is now stable and established. Lessons are calm and rarely disrupted by poor behaviour. Pupils follow a well-designed curriculum, and teachers structure lessons carefully. Generally, teaching supports pupils to build on their knowledge. Pupils who face barriers to their learning, including those with SEND, receive the help that they need. This includes in-class support as well as more targeted help in small groups, if needed. Results in national examinations at the end of key stage 4 have improved, including for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND. Most pupils access their chosen path into education, employment or training when they leave school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that they sustain and accelerate improvements in pupils' attendance so that more pupils benefit from the education that the school provides and achieve well.
• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is taught consistently well. In particular, leaders should ensure that teachers check pupils' understanding effectively so that gaps in pupils' knowledge are addressed and pupils are able to build a coherent body of knowledge across subjects.

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