North Chadderton School has been congratulated for raising its Ofsted rating and scoring ‘good’ in all areas.
At North Chadderton School, staff foster positive relationships with pupils, and an increasing number are benefiting from extra-curricular activities said Ofsted inspectors.
The school has extended its lunchtime to give more time for pupils to join clubs, and as a result, there are more opportunities for them to take part in a wide variety of sports, musical and cultural activities.
The school now has 34 clubs including dissection, debate, Pokemon, Sudoku, dance, drama and a choir.
North Chadderton School was judged as good in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and for its sixth form.
“The aim is to develop students beyond the classroom,” said co-headteacher Nick Angus.
Cllr Mohon Ali congratulated on the ‘Good’ Ofsted
“We embrace different cultures and we have so many activities here to showcase our inclusivity, including Culture Day, LGBT+ group, anti-bullying initiatives and more.
“What makes this school so fantastic are the kids. It’s a purposeful and proud place to work and that’s why so many stay on in the sixth form.”
The school previously received a ‘requires improvement’ rating in its previous inspection in December 2022.
But, as from September, there is no longer an overall effectiveness rating. Schools are now rated on five areas – and North Chadderton School was handed a ‘good’ rating across the board.
It was praised for its ‘inclusive school community’ where staff are ‘ambitious for pupils to succeed.’
“Pupils, and students in the sixth form, benefit from the improvements the school has made to the quality of education that it provides,” said the Ofsted team.
Each year at North Chadderton School, the sixth formers to host their own Christmas markets, and the local community come in for a Macmillan Coffee Morning.
Head of Sixth Form Amy Gill said: “We have 220 students in our sixth form and in 2024 we saw record-breaking results. We were in the top 25-per-cent nationally for progress in A-Levels and we received the Alps Gold Award.”
Ofsted found that the school shows a strong commitment to ensuring students are well-prepared for life beyond school and provides a ‘very full programme of careers education’, including many opportunities to meet and learn from employers.
The school prides itself in providing wide range of work experience placements, including with the NHS, and it has seen an increase in the number of girls considering careers in technology.
North Chadderton alumni are welcomed back to speak in special assemblies to inspire children on their future career paths, including midwives and paramedics.
Director for Character Education Amanda Marsh said: “We have work experience placements for Year 12 in January and Year 10 in June.
“They’ll have placements in engineering, with the NHS, in health and fitness, with law firms. We’ll have four placements at Salford Royal and two at Oldham Hospital.
“It is opening up pathways for them.”
Cllr Mohon Ali, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, visited the school to offer his congratulations, and he heard from students about their favourite subjects and what they love about the school.
Cllr Ali heard from pupils about their favourite subjects
“You have a very broad range of subjects and it reflects the Ofsted report that you received,” he praised. “Congratulations. This is a credit to your students who work hard.
“It’s great that Ofsted has picked up that so many young people are involved in extra-curricular activities and clubs outside the school.”
Mr Angus told Cllr Ali: “We offer a broad range of subjects and a diverse range of qualifications. We don’t narrow down the curriculum for our students and we try to get as many involved in extra-curricular as we possibly can to extend that love of learning beyond the classroom. We look after each other and we are a family school.”
Syed Maruf Ali, Assistant Head of Key Stage Four, agreed: “The students here are so caring they ask if we are okay and check on us.” And he said the popular addition of an aviary with 30 birds at the school is a calming and soothing influence on his pupils.
One pupil said: “The teachers are a huge part of our learning. All the teachers here are nice and welcoming and it makes the school a better place to come. It motivates you because you know it’s a nice place to come to, a bit like home.”
Another praised: “I know that I can come here and be supported.” And another pupil said: “The Spanish department are always so supportive and they teach in a really interesting way that integrates into your everyday life.”
Mr Angus said about the Ofsted report: “It has taken a lot of hard work and careful attention to the voices of our students.
“By fostering positive relationships with them, we have significantly improved outcomes. Students feel well-supported to become the best versions of themselves.”
