Orchard Manor School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 January 2024

Pupils, parents and carers, staff and those responsible for leadership and governance all agree that Orchard Manor is a school where pupils flourish and thrive. This is despite a significant period of change since the school's last inspection. The school's values sit at the centre of what is now a school where pupils learn and develop towards successful and aspirational futures. The expectations that the school has of its pupils stem from the staff's dedication of wanting the very best for the pupils socially and emotionally, as well as academically. Pupils respond well because they trust in the staff and feel safe. This is as a result of the care and nurture provided through the strong relationships between staff and pupils. The impact is a calm and motivating school where pupils are tolerant and respectful of each other and the diverse needs they each have. Pupils are encouraged to form and express their own views and opinions. They do this with great success. They are well equipped with the strategies they need, such as a range of communication approaches and confidence.

What the school should improve

• Some subjects in the wider curriculum are not as well developed as others. Where this is the case, pupils do not learn as successfully or with as much enjoyment as they do in other areas. The trust should work to fully develop the curriculum and subsequent assessment for all subjects in the wider curriculum, so that pupils experience a broad education and learn as well as they do in the subjects where these are fully established.
• The approach to increasing pupils' autonomy in their learning and attitudes to learning needs refining. At times, there can be an overreliance on adult support. Consequently, pupils become dependent on adults being present to prompt, scaffold and extend learning or transitions. The trust should make sure that there is a clear progression in increasing pupils' independence that is commonly used and understood. This should include alternatives to adult verbal and physical prompts and support.

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