Manor Court Community Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Evidence gathered during this ungraded (section 8) inspection suggests that the school's work may have improved significantly across all areas since the previous inspection. The school's next inspection will be a graded inspection.

The headteacher of this school is Luke Talmage. This school is part of the Preston Primary Academy Trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is run by the chief executive officer, Bernie Green, and overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Mike Kerrigan.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils enjoy attending school and are enthusiastic about the activities on offer. They behave well t...hroughout the day and are kind, polite and considerate. Pupils talk with glee about the range of extra activities they get to do, from sliding in mud to making a pasta dinner.

Pupils progress extremely well through the curriculum at Manor Court. The school makes sure every pupil learns what they need to know to be ready for the next stage in their schooling. Pupils are very well looked after, particularly disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Many pupils that attend the school speak English as an additional language. These pupils are well supported and the school values their presence. The school is proud of the array of languages in its community.

Staff's hard work pays off in ensuring that all pupils experience success and develop independence. This makes Manor Court a truly inclusive community.

Parents think highly of the school.

Many cannot praise it enough, saying it is amazing, superb or fantastic. Many parents rightly describe the success their children have experienced since joining the school. All pupils benefit from an expertly taught curriculum and get the extra support they need to successfully secure important knowledge.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Manor Court provides exceptional education and care. The school does everything it can to support pupils to learn and develop. The school has tailored what it does to meet the individual needs of the pupils at the school with precision and care.

Staff know the pupils inside out. Staff have a calm and consistent approach, but can be flexible and adaptable to meet each pupil's needs.

The support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND is exemplary.

The school strengthens pupils' learning whenever it can. Key points where pupils might struggle are identified. The school then introduces extra support before pupils get there.

This can be seen in the extra help some pupils get as they move from the Reception Class into Year 1. Pupils benefit greatly from this proactive and caring approach.

Pupils really enjoy their time here.

They take their learning seriously and are enthusiastic about the wide range of clubs, trips and extra opportunities on offer. Pupils love 'Manor Court 48', which provides an exciting range of additional opportunities for pupils. For example, many pupils were eager to recount their recent visit to London and experiencing a bird's eye view of London.

Pupil behaviour in and around the school is commendable. Pupils are polite and thoughtful. Pupils' behaviour in lessons is excellent, they listen carefully to others and engage fully in their learning.

The teaching of early English is very strong. Staff are experts in helping children learn to read and write. They have high expectations of behaviour in class and pupils engage exceptionally well right from the Reception Class.

The teaching of reading and writing is strengthened by the whole-school approach to speaking and listening. In the Nursery, children get plentiful opportunities to chat to adults. Staff skilfully support children's early language development through their high-quality interactions and warm relationships.

Pupils quickly become confident and enthusiastic readers who really enjoy books.

The school has carefully thought out what pupils need to learn and when they need to learn it. Teachers deliver this expertly, so that pupils easily link new ideas to what they already know.

This work is further strengthened by a focus on speaking and listening that starts in the early years and develops all the way through the school. This not only supports pupils' ability to understand and communicate, it also deepens their understanding of the subjects they learn in the wider curriculum. The school has high expectations of what pupils will achieve and the curriculum is delivered to a very high quality.

Pupils are exceptionally well prepared for their next step when they reach the end of Year 6.

Leadership and management are exceptional. Leaders, well supported by the trust, work tirelessly to ensure that no pupil is left behind.

This determination can be seen in the successful oversight of attendance. Careful monitoring, swift action and a wide range of positive strategies have led to significantly improved levels of attendance.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Background

Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection we gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted's website. From September 2024 graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade.

This school was, before September 2024, judged to be good for its overall effectiveness.

We have now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005.

We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school's work has improved significantly or that it may not be as strong as it was at the last inspection, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection. A graded inspection is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be good for overall effectiveness in December 2019.