We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to share the news that Ofsted believe that Molehill Primary Academy is likely to be judged outstanding and that inspectors will return to undertake a graded inspection. The inspection, which took place on the 13th and 14th of June 2023, celebrated the academy’s highly ambitious curriculum, exceptional behaviour and leaders’ extremely high expectations of what pupils will achieve.
As an ungraded inspection, the purpose of the Ofsted visit was to ensure that Molehill Primary Academy is still at least a ‘good’ school. The previous graded inspection was in January 2018. This most recent inspection could not have resulted in a more positive outcome as the report states that there is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school would be judged outstanding if they were to carry out a graded inspection now. This means that Ofsted will now re-inspect Molehill Primary Academy on the graded framework within a shorter timescale.
The Ofsted report celebrates the academy’s curriculum, which is centred around the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme: ‘Leaders have designed a broad and highly ambitious curriculum meticulously‘ and the report states that, ‘Leaders have created a strong culture of learning and nothing is allowed to disrupt this’.
The academy’s focus on exceptional, inclusive, teaching was also praised: ‘Teachers are well equipped to make the right adaptations for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities’.
Commenting on the inspection, Principal, Laura Smith said:
‘This is the best possible result for Molehill Primary Academy and recognises the whole academy community for their dedication, enthusiasm and relentless hard work. The entire process was very robust and rigorous, taking into consideration the views of parents, carers, pupils, staff, governors and Trust leaders; alongside observations of teaching, break and lunchtimes and every element of our daily work at the academy. Our pupils, staff and school are, as described by the inspector, exceptional. We have a boundless ambition to continue to improve, with the aim of ‘getting better’ every day, and we are looking forward to welcoming Ofsted back to our wonderful school’.
The Ofsted report commended the pupils at Molehill Primary Academy, stating that, ‘Pupils are extremely happy and confident’ and that ‘they know it is important to be kind and they welcome everyone to their school. They are keen to include everyone’.
Simon Beamish, CEO of Leigh Academies Trust commented:
“I am delighted that inspectors have recognised the exceptionally high standards that are now firmly embedded in the academy. Whilst this is the best outcome we could achieve at this stage I am confident that when inspectors return to undertake a full graded inspection they will agree with the Trust’s view that the academy is outstanding in all areas”.
The Ofsted report also recognises the academy’s commitment to safeguarding, stating: ‘Leaders have created a strong culture of safeguarding. All staff are trained to identify risks and take action quickly’.
The full Ofsted report is attached below and will be published on the official Ofsted report website in the coming days.
