STAFF and pupils in West Auckland are celebrating after maintaining a “good” Ofsted judgement.
Inspectors visited Oakley Cross Primary School and Nursery in May.
Staff say assesment changes mean there is now a more rigorous inspection schedule for schools. However, the school and nursery were still praised for their leadership and management, the quality of teaching, learning and assessment as well as behaviour, personal development and welfare.
Headteacher Rachel Brannan said: “Ofsted has really raised the bar. It is really difficult to maintain a good judgement.
“We are really proud of the work we have done here to maintain that judgement.
“We are thrilled that we have done it.
“Our success is down to our dedicated and hardworking staff, enthusiastic children and supportive parents who have responded well to the high expectations set.”
In the report, inspectors wrote: “The exceptionally positive attitudes to learning, engendered by the school’s determination that every learner should succeed, characterise learning in every teaching group. Learning is constructive, personalised and meaningful to pupils.”
The report described the work done to promote pupils’ personal development and welfare as “outstanding” .
The school prides itself on achieving UNICEF’s level two rights respecting school award. Inspectors noted that “pupils understand the importance of respect for people from different backgrounds, beliefs and traditions” .
Personal development was highlighted as one of the strengths of the school with mutual respect for one another being the “norm” .
The report added: “Pupils’ very positive attitudes to learning and consistently good teaching enable them to make good progress.”
Ms Brannan said: “We have worked incredibly hard as a team.”
