Matthew Moss High School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders and governors have established an aspirational culture of high expectations for pupils.

Their effective actions have resulted in significant improvements in pupils' outcomes, attendance and behaviour since the previous inspection. Pupils' behaviour is good. Pupils are polite, respectful of the opinions of others, and are prepared and willing to learn.

This helps them to make good progress in a range of subjects. Leaders have ensured that the curriculum provides a broad range of opportunities and reflects the school's ethos and values. It supports pupils' personal and academic development, preparing them well for life in modern Bri...tain.

In some areas, high-quality teaching and incisive questioning enable pupils to make rapid progress. Teachers use their specialist subject knowledge to support pupils in deepening their understanding. Pupils are encouraged to apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems.

Disadvantaged pupils are making good progress. Teaching and learning policies place a high priority on accelerating the progress of disadvantaged pupils. Pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities achieve well because they receive appropriate support.

Leaders make good use of external support to review aspects of the school's work and to make the necessary improvements. Teachers are extremely positive about the training and support provided for them. Middle leaders know how their actions link to whole-school priorities for improvement.

They have many opportunities to develop leadership skills and are effective in driving improvement. Relationships between staff and pupils are a real strength. Leaders and teachers know their pupils well.

They provide a wide range of opportunities to enable pupils to grow in confidence and become successful learners. Leaders have an accurate view of the school's strengths and its areas for improvement. Plans are appropriately targeted and regularly reviewed.

However, the impact of some of the actions taken to secure improvement is not carefully evaluated. The absence and persistent absence of a small number of disadvantaged pupils, and those who have SEN and/or disabilities, is still too high. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good.

However, some teachers do not consistently provide the highest levels of challenge, especially for the most able pupils. This is particularly the case in mathematics.

Information about this school

Matthew Moss High School is an average-sized secondary school located in Rochdale.

The school has a higher than average proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language. About a third of the pupils are of White British heritage and over half are of Asian or Asian British Pakistani heritage. The proportion of pupils who are eligible for support through pupil premium funding, at about 50%, is well above the national average.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is above the national average, as is the proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan. The school has received support from the local authority, the Pioneers Trust and several external consultants. The school uses alternative provision provided by Bury Sea Cadet Unit and Bury and ACE Training, for a very small number of Year 10 and 11 pupils.

The school has an on-site hearing impaired resource base, funded by the local authority. Currently some of the pupils are taught in the resource base for part of the time when they are at school. The school met the government's floor standards for pupils in Year 11 in 2017.