School Profile

Ethos and Values

The Governors of Moorside High School are committed to providing the highest quality of education for all students. The school empasises the value of a broad and balanced education for all as a preparation for life and work in the 21st century, and as a means to individual personal growth and fulfilment.

The school seeks to develop in its students the tolerance, respect for others and active sense of right and wrong, which are both the basis for a harmonious and effective school community, and a preparation for future citizenship.

The school takes pride in knowing its students and their families well, and in providing students with individual support and guidance to enable them to become effective learners and positive members of society. In all of this, the Governors and staff of Moorside High School recognise the unique contribution which the support and involvement of parents make to the education of their child and to the life of the school as a whole.

School Aims

We want all our students to become:

Successful learners who enjoy, progress and achieve
Confident individuals who live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society

We want our learners:

To achieve the highest standards possible at Key Stage 3, 4 and 5
To be more skillful at reasoning, information processing, enquiring, creative thinking, evaluating and problem solving
To develop the skills to become more creative and reflective learners and to be an effective team worker, and effective self manager
To be more effective participators in the local and global community
To be more engaged and better motivated and see the relevance of their learning in modern society

What have been our successes this year?

We were proud to receive an award from the Specialist Schools Academies Trust for one of the most improved schools in recognition of excellent progress. We have had a 15% increase of 5A* - C grades in the last three years. We were pleased to achieve 74% A* - C pass rate in summer 2009 GCSE examinations and especially pleased that 100% of our students achieved an A - G pass rate. We were pleased to have been awarded Full Dyslexia Friendly Status. This complements our Inclusion Quality Mark, Healthy Schools Status and Sportsmark Award. We are delighted that we have raised funds to provide an astro turf pitch at the front of the school with flood lighting to enable both students and the community to use this facility. After achieving Full International Schools Status we are delighted to expand our links with other schools across the world and have signed a partnership agreement with Jian-Ping West School, Shanghai and are looking forward to a reciprocal visit in December by the principal of the school to further our joint curriculum projects.

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What are we trying to improve?

We have spent a lot of time this year working as a team with the Local Authority to focus on improving teaching in school and have had a specific focus on targetting the way that students learn in order to maximise the opportunities for success of all abilities of students.

We are looking at the way to enrich curriculum opportunities for all students by engaging in partnership opportunities with other schools and providers which will enable all students to access more areas of study.

We are working hard to improve our assessment procedures in school and have had particular success in working alongside our studenst to ensure that they are aware of their target grades and know what they need to do in order to attain these.

We are looking at ways to further engage parents in partnership to help student learning.

How have our results changed over time?

Results for 2008/9 were above national standards with 5A* - C (74% compared to the national average of 69.7%). The results have been above national average for the last three years. Results for 2008/9 were above national standards in 5A* - C at GCSE in English and Maths (54% compared to 49.7% nationally) the three year trend is an improving one and is improving faster than the national average. Results for 2008/9 were well above national standards for 5A* - G (100% compared to the national 92% in 2009) they have been significantly above average for the last three years.

Analysis shows that students with SEN on school action and school action plus do well at Moorside. We exceeded our specialist school targets.

How are we making sure that every child gets teaching to meet their individual needs?

Ofsted noted that pupils have good attitudes to their work and respond well to high quality teaching. They also commented that provision for students with SEN was very good and this was confirmed by the reports prepared by Inclusion Quality Mark assessors and Dyslexia Friendly Status assessors.

From the use of prior attainment data, transitional work with our primary partner schools, additional information gathered prior to transfer, supportive pastoral and academic reviews, and intervention by the Inclusion Base we believe that the curriculum and activities match learners' needs, capabilities and aspirations.

We work closely with external agencies to ensure that the needs of vulnerable children are met.This includes working with agencies to support those with complex physical,medical and emotional needs. The Every Child Matters Agenda is firmly embedded at Moorside.

In 2010 the school received a visit from HMI who looked at Science and Careers. The HMI commented that the Year 9-11 students were very well informed.

We have recently developed a new system for identification and support for Gifted and Talented students and have appointed a non teaching learning mentor who coordinates support for students in this category.

How do we make sure our pupils are healthy, safe and well-supported?

Moorside has acheived Healthy School Status, Sportsmark Award, Full Dyslexia Friendly Status and Inclusion Quality Mark. The school curriculum underpins the development of a healthy lifestyle: there is a full programme of sporting activities and extra curricular work of many types as well as an effective PSHE programme delivered through a series of Challenge Days. There are many examples of ways in which students raise money for various charities through sponsored physical challenges.

The school has an anti bullying policy and incidents of bullying, racism etc are dealt with swiftly. The students run a very effective peer mentoring system. We have an excellent Learning Mentor working in school.

All staff regularly receive updates on their child protection training. Safe practices are encouraged via the curriculum and internet safety is regularly monitored and promoted to Parents via the website and school newsletters. Regular risk assessments are scrutinized by the Headteacher prior to any visit taking place. There is a health and safety committee which meets regularly.

According to an analysis of questionnaires conducted with students they feel safe and supported.

How are we working with parents and the community?

Profile Image Moorside High has a Family Learning programme which aims to encourage family members to learn together and encourages an ethos of collaboration between that of home and school. The provision offered is a planned programme of curriculum based activities designed to engage adult and child learners together over a period of time and include opportunities for intergenerational learning.

The school holds parental consultation evenings and advice and guidance evenings on a range of issues such as Further Education, Options and Course Work, and Cyber bullying.

The school hosts Moorside Cluster Community Learning Partnership meetings, link with The Werrington Young Persons Support Group, Safer Routes to Schools meetings, local Police Consultative Committee meetings and the Crime Prevention Panel.

The school has an active calendar of after school events for young people that vary throughout the year and the Adult Education classes and local sports clubs.

What activities are available to pupils?

The school represents the county on a regular basis. There are successful teams and opportunities for students in football, rugby, dance, netball, basketball, badminton, cricket, cross country, athletics, and tennis. This year a group of students will visit France to participate in a 'Language Detectives Course'.

The school is participating in the Junior Sports Leader awards and sports leaders regularly assist the PE department with interform competitions and liaise activities with the primary schools.

The school has a samba band which meets regularly as does the choir and orchestra. The school provides a base for the Moorlands Music Centre which meets here each week on a Thursday evening and on the first Saturday of each month. There is a drama group and a programme of regular theatre visits.

Our visits programme is curriculum based and includes opportunities for international travel. The school is twinned with Nifa Senior Secondary School in Ghana and Jian-Ping West School in Shanghai and curriculum projects are shared between the students.

Challenge Days present a variety of different options to the students which vary according to year group.

Other activities include art groups, chess, DT groups, science and eco friendly clubs.

What have pupils told us about the school, and what have we done as a result?

The school has gathered students' views by questionnaire, consultation, interview and through work done with the School Council and Youth Forum.

Work completed for the extended schools audit told us that students would like an Arts club, more ICT provision after school and more youth work provision.

We continue to modify our planning for lessons and events like challenge days through feedback from student voice questionnaires and interviews undertaken during departmental reviews.

We have continued to develop our work with outside agencies to ensure that all students feel emotionally secure in school following positive feedback from interviews via the assessment for IQM status.

We have modified arrangements for the Moorlands Centre Open Evening following comments made by our students in their exit questionnaire.

Schools Council is very active and is taking an increasing role in the smooth running of the school they recently campaigned for improved safety measures outside the school gate and have met with the Highways Department and Local Councillors to effect their recommendations. Schools Council are involved in the appointment of key teaching staff.

How do we make sure all pupils attend their lessons and behave well?

Moorside High School has a well resourced inclusion base which has been developed to support the school community in implementing and upholding the Every Child Matters agenda.

The Inclusion Base, directed by the Assistant Headteacher (Inclusion) and supported by five Heads of Year, two Inclusion Officers and 1.5 Inclusion Administrative Staff, offers educational, behavioural and emotional support to the school community.

Attendance and behaviour management data is analysed for the early identification of pupils who are at risk of disaffection.

The school operates a text messaging service to parents which alerts them that their child has not registered within school.

The school behaviour policy establishes a secure framework in which pupils can expect to learn and teachers can expect to teach. The SMT actively seeks a whole school approach towards the behaviour management strategies listed within the policy and provides training accordingly.

Moorside High has extensive links with a number of external agencies to aid the removal of barriers to learning that many young people encounter during their time with us.

What do our pupils do after year 11?

142 Students left Moorside in June 2009

Moorside leavers showed 136 in cohort. 110 continued in learning including own 6th form or FE college, 12 in employment, 11 in apprentiships/NVQ training and 4 currently in NEET* category.
(*NEET = Not in Education Employment or Training [unemployed])

This is one of the lowest NEET figures in Staffordshire and reflects the high quality work done in this area by teachers and the Connexions Service.

Ofsted’s view of our school

Ofsted Logo Moorside High School is a good school. Most pupils achieve well as a result of good teaching and learning. Pupils enter the school with a wide range of backgrounds and attainments and reach standards that are currently above national averages overall. Standards have risen significantly in recent years. The school provides very good value for money.

Date of Last Inspection: 16-17 March 2011
View the Ofsted page for Moorside High School

What have we done in response to Ofsted?

Much work has been done to address the three key issues identified in the last Ofsted report. Tracking pupil progress has improved. Assertive mentoring at KS4 and academic mentoring at KS3 have focussed on helping pupils to improve and conversations with staff have focussed on achieving challenging FFTD targets. Through the introduction of the new National Curriculum teaching and learning has focussed on developing cross curricular skills using a variety of teaching strategies such as enquiries, fortune lines, living graphs and mysteries. Pupils are being set challenging targets where learning objectives are focussed on higher order thinking skills. Pupils are encouraged to succeed through the use of Vivo Miles rewards. A focus on assessment has resulted in pupils being given more detailed written feedback on set pieces of work and a clear focus on how to improve. In school we have restructured our staff meetings to focus on pupil progress and have had considerable support from the local authority to improve the percentage of lessons judged to be good or outstanding. We have appointed an Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for teaching and learning who has worked with colleagues to improve the quality of schemes of work.

More Information

If you would like more information about school policies, including our policies on special educational needs and disability, admissions, finance, school food and our complaints procedure, please contact us by telephone 08444 778985

School Prospectus
Download the Moorside High School prospectus.

Information about our sixth form

Our results this year

Moorside High School forms part of a collaborative 6th form based at the Moorlands Sixth Form College in Cheadle. The school is in partnership with Painsley Catholic College and Cheadle High School. During the Ofsted inspection of Moorside High School in June 2008 the effectiveness of the sixth form provision was considered to be outstanding. In 2009 the College was placed in the top 30 comprehensive school sixth forms (Independent Newspaper). The college is consistently one of the highest performing institutions in Staffordshire and in 2009 was 1st in the county related to total joint scores per candidate (937.7) compared to the local authority average of 705 and a national average of 713. Point score per entry of 207.9 placed the College 2nd in the county. Value added data indicates Moorside students perform very well being 7th in the county with a CVA of 1001.3.

How have our results changed over time?

Results for the College have continued to improve showing an upward trend in all areas. A/B rate in 2007 was 40%, in 2009, was 45%. A/E rate in 2007 was 98%, in 2009, 99%. Average Point score per candidate has gone from 857 to 937 and APS per entry from 202.1 to 207.9.

What have been the successes of the sixth form this year?

It is pleasing that the college has been able to offer such a broad curriculum which is unlikely to be matched by many school based sixth forms in Staffordshire or nationally. The development and implementation of Level 3 Business, Administration and Finance Diploma has been extremely successful.

At Easter a group of students enjoyed skiing in the French alps and the Drama exam classes and Drama Club have performed to an exceptionally high standard on numerous occasions. In July staff from the College led students on a successful global expedition to India. The college has worked closely with the School sport Co-ordinator to develop more extracurricular activities, paricularly sports in the sixth form. He evaluated its success last term and it is pleasing to see that there has been greater participation and a much greater range of opportunities. In addition to this the College was also the champion in the football and netball leagues.

There is consistently positive feedback from parents and students regarding performance in the sixth form.

What are we trying to improve in our sixth form?

A level photography and Btec PE are being introduced to the curriculum in September 2010 along with the Critical Thinking and Performing Arts. Both Level 2 and 3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism and ICT are being developed at the College for implementation in 2011.

Plans have been finalized and work is building work is due to commence at the College to provide additional classroom space and rooms for vocational courses. It is also hoped that improvements can be made to the dining room area to provide increased space for dining, personal study and relaxation.