Staff and pupils at Abbey Hey Primary Academy in Gorton are celebrating after receiving glowing feedback from Ofsted inspectors earlier this term. Following their visit to the school, inspectors described the school as “exceptional” and an “exciting and happy” place for pupils to learn.
In their report, inspectors were particularly impressed by the warm and ambitious culture created at the school, which is said to enable pupils to thrive both academically and socially.
Inspectors highlighted the “ambitious” curriculum that is offered at the school, which, through the efforts of “highly skilled” staff, means that pupils develop “deep knowledge and understanding across the curriculum”. As a result, all pupils achieve “remarkably well”, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who “flourish” with the support they receive.
Likewise, staff were praised for the way in which they support pupils to become “confident and resilient learners” with strong aspirations for their futures. This comes not only through their “exceptional” work to promote pupils’ personal development, but also through inspiring pupils to contribute as leaders within the school.
Whilst this inspection was a routine, ungraded inspection, inspectors noted significant improvements since the school’s previous inspection in 2019, when it was judged ‘Good’ across all categories. In their report, inspectors recognised the support of governance and United Learning (a national group of schools, of which Abbey Hey is a part) in implementing these changes. As a result, the next inspection will be graded.
Paul Graham, Executive Principal at Abbey Hey Primary Academy, said:
“We strive to ensure we provide the best possible education for our fantastic pupils here at Abbey Hey. This outcome is a testament to the Head of School, Kylie Losper and her leadership team, alongside our hardworking staff, and those across our entire school community for their continuous support of the school.
“The Inspectors’ feedback is a very strong signal of our continued positive trajectory and reflects our unwavering ambition for our pupils and for our school. We look forward to building on this successful milestone as we keep raising the bar of what we can achieve as a school community."
Darran Ellison-Lee, Director of Primary Education, said:
“It is gratifying that the inspectors noted the significant improvements had been made since the school’s previous inspection in 2019 and described it as an ‘exceptional’ school. This is a credit to the efforts of the entire school community in recent years to create an ‘exciting and happy’ learning environment for pupils.”