A DALE primary school has received the highest possible grading in a recent inspection, putting it among the top five per cent of Church of England schools.
The news of the “excellent” grading was shared with pupils, staff and parents during a special leavers ceremony at Green Lane Primary School, in Barnard Castle, on Friday, July 19.
Every five years the Church of England Education Office carry out statutory inspections of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) which measures not only the academic achievements but also the Christian vision of schools. Rob Goffee, who became headteacher at the school in April 2018, says he is overwhelmed with the result.
He added: “We knew it was going to be difficult this year as they have changed the way they grade schools. An outstanding grade used to cover about 50 per cent of the schools, but now with the introduction of the excellent grade this has been reduced to five per cent.”
Revd Alec Harding was also delighted. He said: “When we asked the board what excellent would mean they weren’t able to give us a definition. But when the inspector visited she told us we had defined it. When she read the assessment report we submitted she didn’t believe that she would actually see any of it in practice. Rob has taken us to a new level and helped the school put it into words. It is the way we treat each other and support each other, following Christian values.
“The inspection isn’t just about academic achievement. There is a lot of involvement with the children, parents and staff.”
Church of England Education Office inspector Jo Warner, said in her report: “Highly innovative work on character development permeates all areas of school life. “It focuses on developing the whole child, preparing them for a full and flourishing life.
“The school’s deeply Christian vision and its associated values are woven throughout the work of the school and are a central part of its everyday life. The headteacher is passionate about educating every pupil for ‘life in all its fullness’. Leaders have been relentless in the pursuit of excellence for all, shaped by the school’s explicit and distinctly Christian values.”
Mr Goffee added: “The news has been great for the staff and the students and it’s great to end the term on a particularly high note.
