The Maplesden Noakes School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at this inclusive school are friendly and polite. They feel happy and safe.

Staff and pupils talk warmly about belonging to the 'Maplesden family'. The school's values of kindness, empathy and respect underpin all that the school does.

The school has high expectations for what pupils, and students in the sixth form, can achieve.

This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils keenly develop their skills and knowledge through an ambitious curriculum that reflects those expectations.

There are positive relationships between staff and pupils.

Staff care about their pupils' education and well-being. C...lear, consistent routines ensure that pupils behave well and focus on their learning within a calm and purposeful environment. They behave well at social times, including in the dining areas.

The school does not tolerate bullying. Most pupils feel confident that any unkind behaviour will be dealt with.

Pupils benefit from attending a wide range of extra-curricular clubs and activities.

These include sports clubs, arts clubs and some more specialised ones such as criminology and Raspberry Pi clubs. Trips, both locally and abroad, are growing in number. Pupils act as sports leaders to organise events with local primary school children.

Sixth-form students speak enthusiastically about participation in the 'Business Challenge', where they gain a valuable insight into the world of work.

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

Leaders and governors are driven by a strong sense of moral purpose. They think carefully about how to give pupils the best opportunities for the future.

Staff are loyal and committed. Teaching and support staff, including those in the early stages of their careers, are proud to work at the school. They particularly value leaders' careful consideration of their workload and well-being so that they can focus their efforts fully on pupils' education.

The curriculum in key stage 3 has been strengthened to provide a strong foundation for further study. Pupils have a wide choice of subjects to study in key stage 4. The number of pupils taking a foreign language is growing, so more pupils now have the opportunity to achieve the English Baccalaureate.

Sixth-form students, many of whom join from far afield, appreciate the exciting range of academic and vocational courses.

Although published examination results in 2023 were not strong overall, changes made to the curriculum, together with a strong focus on professional training, mean that current pupils are achieving well. The school has identified the important knowledge that pupils need to know and remember.

It has ensured that the curriculum is progressive so that pupils build on what they know. Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They design activities that help pupils to know more and remember more.

They test pupils' understanding through careful questioning. However, sometimes work is not matched closely enough to pupils' needs and some teachers do not always make the necessary adjustments to ensure that pupils can learn as much as they could.

The school accurately identifies the needs of pupils with SEND.

Staff know these pupils well as individuals. As a result, pupils with SEND receive the right extra help and most make good progress through the curriculum. This includes pupils at an early stage of reading, who get the help they need to become confident and fluent readers.

All pupils are encouraged to read for pleasure. There is much excitement about the new library, which pupils have helped to design.

Most pupils, including students in the sixth form, attend school regularly.

The school works hard to support those who find coming to school more difficult. There is clear evidence that this support is helping more pupils to attend regularly. Staff strive to create a positive, inclusive climate that pupils want to be part of.

Pastoral support is strong. Parents and pupils appreciate the help given from the student support managers.

The personal development of pupils is strong.

The school has designed a carefully considered programme from Year 7 to 13 that teaches pupils how to stay safe and look after their health and well-being. It is taught by specialist staff and supplemented with activities in tutor time. The programme is readily adapted to deal with current issues that may arise.

Pupils explore diversity and are proud that their school is very accepting of difference. High-quality careers advice and guidance prepares pupils well for their next steps. For example, many pupils benefit from visits to local universities to raise their aspirations.

Most sixth-form students gain places at their chosen university or on apprenticeship courses. As one parent said: 'There is a positive and inclusive culture, applied values and, most importantly, a focus on developing the whole pupil.'

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Not all pupils achieve as well as they could. At times, the activities and work set in lessons do not help some pupils effectively to learn the identified key knowledge and skills. The school should continue to ensure that staff have the appropriate knowledge and expertise to help pupils understand and remember more to reach the school's ambitious goals.