New school graded ‘Requires Improvement’ by Ofsted inspectors

A school in Middleton where ‘behaviour is disruptive’ and ‘teaching is ‘inconsistent’ has been told it must do better by an education watchdog.

Ofsted rated Edgar Wood Academy as ‘Requires Improvement’ after finding faults in the categories of quality of education, behaviour and leadership. Children’s learning at the school, which opened in 2021, has been described by inspectors as uneven and inconsistent across the board.

Ofsted attended the school in November 2023 and found students misbehaving in some cases and not engaging in their learning.

The report, published in January, stated that the ‘school’s new systems for managing pupils’ behaviour are not as effective as they should be’. Despite this, inspectors praised the personal development of students in the school – even highlighting how ‘they relish opportunities to learn how to crochet, write short stories and develop their debating skills’.

The report read: “In some subjects, teachers use their strong subject knowledge to expand pupils’ vocabulary. They explain concepts to pupils with clarity and confidence. Typically, pupils achieve well in these subjects.

“In other subjects, however, the school has not ensured that teachers have sufficient expertise to deliver the curriculum effectively.

“Most pupils are polite and respectful. However, despite the school’s efforts, a small number of pupils persistently display disruptive behaviour.

“At times, staff do not receive the guidance and strategies that they need to address these behaviour issues effectively. On occasion, the poor behaviour of a small number of pupils slows down the learning of their peers.”

At the time of the inspection, an interim headteacher was in charge of the school, and a new head, Paul Jones, has since been appointed.

“While disappointed in the school’s inspection grade, I am confident that we know what we need to do to improve,” Mr Jones said. “We are now obviously working hard to address the issues raised in the report.

“Indeed, at the time of the inspection, the school was already putting in place a new approach to behaviour, which students are responding extremely well to.”

The headteacher highlighted the strengths that were recognised in the report, particularly the high standards the Altus Education Partnership Trust and school have for their approach to students’ wellbeing.

Mr Jones continued: “While I fully acknowledge that the report does not reflect where we want to be, I firmly believe our current actions and the strengths outlined in the report provide us with a firm foundation to allow all of our pupils to reach their true potential, particularly as we prepare for our first ever GCSE results in 2026. Additionally, it is a firm commitment of mine that all students receive a consistently excellent experience in the classroom and I am dedicated to ensuring that the quality of teaching in the best lessons is the quality of teaching in all lessons.”

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter