Easter is extra special this year for staff and pupils at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Heysham.
They’ve just had the results of their latest Ofsted inspection – and the school is officially ‘Good’.
This means the Littledale Avenue primary has leapfrogged two grades from its previous rating – a rare achievement.
Headteacher Carol Hind said: “We’re all immensely proud to be Good! We have worked so hard during the past two years to bring about improvements in all aspects of school life.
“I’d like to thank staff, governors, parents, pupils and the county council for their support. We are all delighted with this rating and are confident that we will continue to develop and provide hig! h-quality education for every child in our care.”
The report praises the rapid progress that children make during their time at the school, and in particular the way the school’s teaching methods encourage literacy skills and a love of reading.
The inspectors referred warmly to ‘golden moments’ at the school and said, ‘A pupil in the reception class was so excited about his phonics work that he exclaimed, “I’m full of words today!” Similarly, an older pupil commented that “writing is my passion”.’
Over half the school’s pupils are from a Gypsy Roma/Traveller background and these pupils achieve better academic results and a higher attendance levels compared to these groups nationally.
The school’s leadership and management are also praised. The headteacher, according to parents, staff and pupils, ‘always puts children first’, and inspectors add that ‘clear direction, tenacious leadership and manageable policies ha! ve resulted in consistently good teaching.’
‘Pupils from different backgrounds work and play harmoniously together and respect each other’s feelings. They are friendly, sociable and good-humoured’, the inspectors add.
• The full report is available here: www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/119583