Under Ofsted's inspection toolkit, Exceptional is the highest grade available. It is awarded where practice is of the highest standard nationally and other schools can learn from it.
Commenting on the inspection, Principal Julie Forsythe said,
“I could not be more proud of our pupils, our staff and our families. To be judged Exceptional in six areas reflects years of collective ambition and a shared belief that every child at Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard should thrive, whatever their starting point. I am particularly proud that inspectors recognised inclusion as a lived reality here rather than something we simply talk about. That is the work of an extraordinary staff team and a community that supports us every day.”
Inspectors found that achievement at the academy is excellent, with outcomes in most statutory tests remaining significantly above national averages over time. They described the achievement of disadvantaged pupils as particularly impressive, noting that these pupils frequently attain in line with, or above, their non-disadvantaged peers nationally. Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities also make impressive progress from their starting points.
The report commended the quality of curriculum and teaching as consistently exemplary. Inspectors found that the academy's ambitious and rich curriculum enables pupils to develop deep and secure knowledge over time, including in reading, writing and mathematics. Leaders have adapted the curriculum to reflect the diversity of the community and to broaden pupils' understanding of the wider world, including through collaborative cooking projects with partner schools in other countries.
Inclusion was a particular strength. Inspectors reported that leaders' uncompromising ambition for all pupils is realised through highly effective systems that identify and dismantle barriers to learning and wellbeing at the earliest opportunity. The academy's specially resourced provision for pupils with speech, language and communication needs was recognised, with carefully planned transitions ensuring that these pupils participate successfully and thrive alongside their peers. The report noted that no group is overlooked, including young carers and pupils known to social care.
Attendance and Behaviour were also judged Exceptional. Attendance is consistently high and exceeds pre-pandemic levels for all groups of pupils, and persistent absence is significantly below the national average. Pupils' behaviour was described as exemplary, reflecting the academy's high expectations and deeply embedded culture of respect. Inspectors noted that the academy's work in this area is recognised nationally and that it shares its practice and expertise with other schools.
The report highlighted a transformative personal development programme that goes considerably beyond what is required, with a highly ambitious approach to careers education running from the early years through to the Pupil Employment Scheme for older pupils. Enterprise projects, the 'Cherry Cash' scheme and an extensive extra-curricular offer were all recognised, alongside dedicated opportunities for pupils in the specially resourced provision to attend after-school clubs.
On Leadership and Governance, inspectors found that leaders have an unswerving moral purpose to serve the needs of the community and are relentless in removing barriers to achievement. The partnership between the academy and the Trust was identified as a key factor in sustaining exceptionally high standards, with Trust leaders providing bespoke challenge and support. Inspectors described governance as exemplary, noting that the community board and trustees hold leaders to account very closely and ensure that resources are deployed effectively.
Early Years provision was judged to reach a Strong standard. Inspectors found an ambitious curriculum, skilful interaction between staff and children, and strong foundations established in the Nursery Year that allow children to apply their early literacy and mathematical knowledge with confidence.
Commenting on the inspection, Simon Beamish, Chief Executive of Leigh Academies Trust, said,
“To be judged Exceptional in six areas of the framework is a rare achievement and one that reflects sustained, disciplined work over many years. Julie and her team have built a school where inclusion is genuinely lived, where disadvantaged pupils achieve better than their non-disadvantaged peers nationally, and where families are treated as partners. The whole Cherry Orchard community should be very proud, and the wider Trust has a great deal to learn from what has been built here.”
The full Ofsted report can be found here and will be published on the official Ofsted report website in the coming days.
For more information about Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard, please visit https://leighacademycherryorchard.org.uk/
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