Schools and Academies are regularly inspected by Ofsted.

On this page you will find a short guide to school inspections and a summary of our latest report.

In 2018, we became a member of the Co-op Academies Trust and the school changed from Walkden High School to Co-op Academy Walkden. 

Co-op Academy Walkden received its first inspection on the 23rd and 24th May 2023 and was graded ‘Good’ in all areas.

Ofsted said: “This is an inclusive school where pupils share positive and respectful relationships with their peers and teachers. Staff take the time to get to know pupils and their families well. There is a culture of high aspiration.”

The report commends leaders for their high expectations of pupil behaviour. Inspectors commented that ‘lessons are focussed, and pupils rarely disrupt them by off-task behaviour’ and that ‘behaviour around the school, including between lessons, is calm and orderly’.

The report acknowledges that pupils benefit from an “ambitious curriculum”, which includes “a wide and varied choice of academic and vocational subjects”. The curriculum is delivered by teachers who use “their expert knowledge to help pupils build their understanding of key concepts and ideas over time. Teachers are quick to spot any misconceptions and address them before moving on to new learning”. 

Ofsted said: “Leaders set increasingly high expectations for the learning and behaviour of all pupils. They have cultivated a kind and considerate school community where pupils feel safe and happy. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), engage enthusiastically in their learning and are well motivated to succeed. Increasingly, they benefit from leaders’ raised expectations of what they can achieve academically.”

You can read our current inspection report here. 

Useful Information about Ofsted Inspections

Ofsted make judgements in four key areas:

• the effectiveness of leadership and management;
• the quality of teaching, learning and assessments;
• personal development, behaviour and welfare;
• outcomes for pupils.

Schools are given an overall grade from 1 to 4. The gradings are:

The grade a school receives determines how frequently the inspectors visit. For instance, good schools normally receive a short inspection every three years.

Ofsted have written a useful guide for parents and carers. You can read the latest version here.

Share your views about the Academy with Ofsted

During an inspection, Ofsted will look at responses to their Parent View online survey.

You can complete this survey at any time during the school year, although during inspections there is an additional comments box you can complete.