Mo Mowlam Academy, Redcar

Ofsted's report card from its 20 January 2026 inspection grades Mo Mowlam Academy on 6 areas: 1 strong standard, 4 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders quickly and accurately assess and identify the needs of individual pupils."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well from their starting points."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the areas of strength and the areas they are working to improve in the curriculum."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a thoughtful, well-sequenced personal development programme that builds on the knowledge of pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders know pupils and understand their circumstances well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is suitably aspirational for all pupils to support them to develop the detailed knowledge and skills that they need to realise ambitious next steps. • Leaders should review and refine their approaches to providing bespoke support to ensure that pupils attend school regularly and further reduce persistent absence".

The nearest other special schools to Mo Mowlam Academy are Mackenzie Thorpe Centre (1 mile, Good); Priory Woods School (1.6 miles, Outstanding); River Tees Academy Grangetown (2.5 miles); and Kirkleatham Hall School (2.9 miles, Good).

Mo Mowlam Academy is one of 8 schools run by Horizons Specialist Academy Trust, an academy trust.

14 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Mo Mowlam Academy (as of April 2026): 79% would recommend the school, 79% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (86%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

Of the 15 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 53% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 53% to a further education college.

82.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 0% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

Almost every pupil at Mo Mowlam Academy has an education, health and care plan (101 of 101 in 2026). The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is South Bank Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kingsley Road (b), 260 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 272 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Redcar and Cleveland (174), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Mo Mowlam Academy issued 84 suspensions, 84 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.