Moor End Academy Review 2026: A Hub of Ambition and Academic Progress

Set in the heart of Crosland Moor in Huddersfield, Moor End Academy is a secondary school that has established itself as a beacon of high expectations within West Yorkshire. Serving approximately 1,000 students aged 11 to 16, the academy is a cornerstone of South Pennine Academies, a multi-academy trust known for its focus on school improvement and community cohesion.

The academy’s standing is defined by its consistent Outstanding Ofsted status, most recently reaffirmed in June 2024. While many schools struggle to balance inclusivity with academic rigour, Moor End manages to do both, creating an environment where students from diverse backgrounds are pushed to exceed their predicted grades. The leadership team, currently led by Principal Natasha Carman, maintains a visible presence across the campus, ensuring that the academy’s culture of respect and resilience is felt in every corridor.

The atmosphere at Moor End Academy is one of purposeful energy. The school sits on a substantial site on Dryclough Road, featuring a mix of traditional and modern buildings that have been adapted to support a high-tech curriculum. There is a palpable sense of pride among the student body, often reflected in the smart application of the academy uniform and the professional manner in which students conduct themselves between lessons.

The academy operates under the motto Aspire, Achieve, Accumulate, which is woven into the daily life of the school. This is not merely a slogan; it manifests in a rewards system that celebrates progress as much as absolute attainment. For students in Huddersfield, Moor End is often viewed as a school of choice because it offers a sense of stability and ambition. The demographic is diverse, and the school uses this as a strength, fostering a culture where different perspectives are valued and global citizenship is promoted.

Moor End Academy delivers academic outcomes that reflect a strong commitment to student progress. According to the most recent performance data, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 46.1. This indicates a consistent level of achievement across a broad range of subjects, including core English and mathematics.

The most significant metric for many families is the Progress 8 score, which stands at +0.45. In plain English, this means that students at Moor End make significantly more progress between the end of primary school and their GCSEs than the average student in England. This value-added aspect is a hallmark of the academy, suggesting that the teaching quality effectively supports students of all starting abilities.

In terms of national standing, the school ranks 2,547th in England for GCSE outcomes according to FindMySchool rankings. This reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, the school ranks 8th in Huddersfield, confirming its position as a high-performing option within the Kirklees local authority.

Teaching at Moor End is characterised by high levels of subject expertise and a structured approach to lesson delivery. The curriculum is designed to be ambitious, ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to a suite of subjects that keep doors open for future study and employment.

The academy places a particular emphasis on the core disciplines of English, science, and mathematics. Science is a notable strength, with well-equipped laboratories supporting a curriculum that encourages practical enquiry and analytical thinking. In the humanities and arts, students are encouraged to develop critical voices, with the academy frequently hosting debate sessions and exhibitions to showcase student work.

Teachers use data effectively to identify students who may be falling behind, offering targeted interventions and mastery sessions to close gaps. This proactive approach to learning ensures that the pace of the classroom remains brisk and challenging for the most able students while providing a safety net for those who need additional support.

Where Students Go Next

As an 11-16 academy, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical focus. While Moor End does not have its own sixth form, it maintains strong links with local post-16 providers such as Greenhead College, Huddersfield New College, and Kirklees College.

The academy’s careers programme is robust, starting in Year 7 to ensure students are aware of the myriad pathways available to them. By the time students reach Year 11, they benefit from 1-to-1 careers guidance and mock interviews. This preparation pays off; the vast majority of leavers successfully transition into further education, apprenticeships, or employment. The high Progress 8 scores mean that Moor End students often secure places at the most competitive local colleges, moving on to study a wide variety of A-level and vocational subjects.

Securing a place at Moor End Academy is a competitive process. The academy is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting its strong reputation in the local community. For the most recent intake, there were 400 applications for approximately 205 places, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.95.

Admissions are coordinated by Kirklees Council. Priority is given to looked-after children and those with siblings already at the academy. After these criteria are met, places are typically allocated based on proximity to the school. Parents are encouraged to use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the academy gates compared to previous years' intake patterns.

Pastoral care at Moor End is organized through a vertical house system, which helps create a smaller school within a school feel. This structure allows older students to mentor younger peers, fostering a sense of responsibility and community. Each student has a dedicated form tutor who acts as the first point of contact for both academic and personal concerns.

The academy’s approach to wellbeing is proactive. There is a dedicated pastoral team that includes non-teaching staff, allowing for immediate support for students experiencing emotional or social difficulties. The latest Ofsted report highlighted the academy’s success in creating a safe, inclusive environment where behaviour and attitudes are exemplary. Safeguarding procedures are rigorous, and the school maintains close links with external agencies to support its most vulnerable students.

Extracurricular life at Moor End is varied and designed to build character. The academy offers a wide range of clubs that cater to diverse interests, from the high-energy environment of the Sports Leadership programme to more specialized academic societies.

STEM: Innovation and Enquiry

STEM is a major pillar of the academy's enrichment offer. The school participates in regional robotics competitions and has a thriving coding club where students learn the fundamentals of software development. Science Busking and national mathematics challenges are regular features, allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge to complex, real-world problems.

Sports also play a significant role, with the academy competing successfully in local leagues for football, netball, and athletics. The facilities, including an all-weather pitch and a large sports hall, are utilized fully both during and after the school day. For those interested in the performing arts, the annual school production is a major event, involving students in everything from stage management to lead acting roles.

The school day at Moor End Academy typically begins at 8:25am and concludes at 3:00pm, though many students remain on-site for after-school enrichment until 4:00pm. The academy is well-served by local bus routes connecting Crosland Moor to Huddersfield town centre and surrounding areas.

For parents, communication is handled through modern digital platforms, providing real-time updates on attendance, behaviour, and academic progress. While there is no on-site parking for parents during drop-off and pick-up, the surrounding residential streets are accessible, though they can become congested at peak times.

• Oversubscription reality: With nearly two applications for every available place, Moor End is one of the most sought-after schools in Huddersfield. Families living outside the immediate area may find it difficult to secure a place without a sibling connection.
• No on-site sixth form: While the academy prepares students exceptionally well for post-16 study, the transition to a new college at age 16 is mandatory. This requires a level of independence and planning that may be a shift for students used to the structured academy environment.
• Pace and expectations: The academy's Outstanding culture is built on high expectations for behaviour and work rate. Students are expected to be focused and motivated; those who prefer a more relaxed or less structured environment may find the academy's rigour a significant adjustment.

Moor End Academy is a powerhouse of progress in West Yorkshire. It manages the difficult task of being both a local community school and an academic engine that drives students toward high-tier GCSE results. The +0.45 Progress 8 score is the ultimate evidence of its effectiveness, proving that it adds tangible value to its students' education.

This school is best suited to ambitious students who thrive in a structured environment and families who value a clear, evidence-based approach to teaching. For those living in the catchment area, it offers a quality of education that rivals many selective or independent alternatives. The main challenge remains the high level of competition for entry.