Abbey Green Nursery School is praised by Ofsted

Children at Abbey Green Nursery School & Children’s Centre continues to receive a good standard of education as Ofsted inspectors judge the centre to be good for the fifth consecutive time. The Bradford Council school has sustained its Good status, in every inspection, since it was inspected in 2004; 13 years ago. In a very complimentary report, the inspector found “the leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the nursery since the last inspection” which was in April 2014, also saying “You and your staff have high expectations of what children can achieve.” Children demonstrated how “caring and inclusive” they were in their behaviour; helping other children to put aprons on for play sessions and “displayed confidence in using sign language to communicate with other children.” “The Local Authority has recognised and values this inclusivity and is currently designating the nursery as a special needs resource base.” Staff have addressed all the recommendations from the previous inspection and other comments in the report include: Phonics is taught very well.  Children enjoy the activities, and are skilled at knowing the sounds letters make. You have continued to develop the Governance of the Nursery. Partnership working with parents is very strong. …”adult classes delivered by the family and community team in the nursery have helped them in developing their knowledge of English, and so help them support their children.” Headteacher, Margot Dixon, said:  “We are delighted with this latest report as it is clear that Ofsted see the school as we do.  Pupils, staff, parents and Governors are delighted that our continued hard work has paid dividends and we are all extremely pleased with this outcome.” Chair of Governors at the School, Khalid Mahmood, said: “I am delighted that the continuing dedicated and hard work of staff has been rewarded and that the Inspector recognised that our children are making great progress.” Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said:  “This is excellent news for Abbey Green.  Five consecutive Good Ofsted inspections is a fantastic achievement and all those who have worked so hard to bring about this result should be justly very proud.”

Partnership is the secret to success for group of inner-city Bradford schools

A partnership of neighbouring Bradford schools say joining forces is helping to drive up standards for the thousands of pupils across their postcode area. The BD3 Achievement 4 All consists of ten primary schools, a special school, a secondary school and two children’s centres.All of the primary schools which have been inspected by Ofsted in the group have now been rated as being good .And the school leaders in the partnership say they are committed to driving further improvements with a major focus on improving pupils’ reading in key stage two as they reach the end of primary school. The BD3 schools work together on a range of areas including reading, science, moderating each other’s marking and work, supporting newly qualified teachers and developing early years teaching. For the past two years the partnership has been chaired by former Bradford headteacher Sara Rawnsley. She said: “There is a deep commitment to work together for the benefit of everyone in the partnership. “There are academies and council maintained schools, we have children’s centres, primaries, a special school and a secondary but everyone is open to working together and sharing what we do to drive improvement.” The schools in BD3 Achievement 4 All are Peel Park Primary, Westminster CE Primary, Barkerend Primary, Byron Primary, Lapage Primary, Dixons Marchbank Primary, Killinghall Primary, Thornbury Primary, St Mary’s and St Peter’s Roman Catholic Primary, Feversham Primary, Delius Special School, Carlton Bolling College, Barkerend Children’s Centre and Mortimer House Children’s Centre.Peel Park Primary School, in Undercliffe, is one of the latest schools in the area to celebrate Ofsted success after it moved from Requires Improvement to Good in the inspection report published in May which praises all areas of its work.Byron Primary and Dixons Marchbank Primary also enjoyed success with good Ofsted reports this year while  Lapage Primary, St Mary’s & St Peter’s Roman Catholic Primary, Feversham Primary and Delius Special School are all rated as good as well. Peel Park Headteacher Lloyd Mason Edwards said: “BD3 schools have worked in partnership for a long time but in recent years there has been a real focus on improving teaching and learning and improving attainment. “There is a shared ethos across our schools and everyone is open to sharing what we do. I do think a lot of our success is down to the partnership. It has helped to improve our teaching and learning. We work together in lots of different areas. “We have worked on professional development of our staff, special educational needs teaching and working on support for pupils who are new to English.”Gill Edge, the headteacher at Killinghall Primary School said another benefit of the partnership had been the way in which it allowed schools to to support new teachers starting their careers. “Sara Rawnsley who chairs the partnership has developed school courses for newly qualified teachers and recently qualified teachers to support them in their first years in the job. This makes a real difference for the schools as it has meant we are retaining more of the teachers who start their careers in BD3. Retaining and developing teachers allows schools to develop a stable and established workforce which makes a real difference for us.” Mrs Rawnsley added: “The courses provide mentoring and support to teachers starting their careers and it helps to improve their resilience and their ability to develop their practice. The partnership has meant that each year NQTs are part of a network of teachers who are starting together across BD3 schools. They are not on their own and feel a part of something bigger. “By coming together with a shared focus for raising standards all of the schools and settings in our BD3 partnership are having a real impact on the lives of our young people.” Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “This shows what can be achieved when schools work in partnership. We know that across the Bradford district our school staff share the same passion and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for our young people. “The BD3 Achievement 4 All partnership shows what can be achieved and as both executive member for education and as a local ward councillor I look forward to their future successes.”

Ingrow Primary School retains its good status

Ingrow Primary School has been judged to be good by Ofsted for the second time in five years. In a glowing report the inspectors found that the “leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection.” The partnership between the Executive Headteacher and the Head of School was praised for “bringing about improvements to teaching and learning as well as addressing areas identified for improvement at the school’s last inspection.” Leaders have raised expectations of pupils’ outcomes, and improved the quality of teaching, learning and assessment through good-quality professional development for staff and sharing in good practice at other schools. The report acknowledges the “school’s inclusive support for some of the most vulnerable pupils” which has resulted in improved attendance and attitudes, and it notes how pupils “are keen to take on responsibilities as a school councillor or digital leader.” Angela Vinnicombe, executive headteacher, said:  “This is a fantastic achievement for our school. I am so proud of everyone in the team. “I am pleased that despite disruptive building work during the last two years, Ofsted has recognised that our focus on raising pupils’ achievement did not fade. “The report reflects Ingrow Primary really well and highlights the many aspects that make our school, and our Federation with Long Lee Primary, a good one. “Congratulations go to all pupils, staff, governors and the wider community in helping us achieve this positive outcome. We really do have a fabulous team working hard to ensure the best possible education for the children at Ingrow and Long Lee.” Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said:  “This is great news for Ingrow, and indeed for the federation with Long Lee Primary School.  All of those who have worked so hard to maintain this good judgement should be very proud.”

Other comments in the report include: Governors bring a range of expertise … which provides good support and challenge. The school promotes good citizenship skills and pupils understand and show respect for people’s differences. Pupils’ personal development and good attitudes to learning have been pivotal in raising aspirations. The school has been successful in creating a culture where pupils take responsibility for their own learning.

Primary school celebrates double inspection success

Staff and pupils at a village primary school have double the reason to celebrate after receiving two very positive inspection reports in quick succession.

East Morton CE Primary has been praised in an Ofsted report with inspectors describing it as a good and improving school in which parents have great confidence and where pupils thrive.

This closely follows a very successful SIAMS Inspection (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) with the inspector judging East Morton as an outstanding school which “celebrates the unique value of each individual pupil, ensuring that all are supported to achieve the best possible educational outcomes.”

Both the Ofsted and SIAMS reports praise headteacher Katie Savage’s “exceptional vision” for the school, which inspectors feel along with her inspirational and engaging leadership, “have created a community that celebrates pupils and celebrates life”.

The SIAMS report notes that staff are “highly effective role models” and “pupils follow their example by showing each other universal courtesy and respect”.

The Ofsted report praises pupils’ behaviour and impeccable manners. Pupils are also said to develop “excellent personal and social skills” through the “exceptional spiritual, moral, social and cultural education provided by the school.”

The reports also recognises “the great confidence which parents rightly have in the school”, with one parent describing the school as “a second home for our children.”

Children throughout the school are said to make good progress and Ofsted says a “challenging yet supportive culture” is helping teachers to stretch the most able pupils.

East Morton CE Primary School’s Headteacher Katie Savage said:  “As a school community, we are delighted with the outcome of both of our recent inspections and have noted with pleasure the fact that the reports celebrate our school’s distinctive ethos, vision and values, which have been central to our continued success.”

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said:  “To undergo two inspections in quick succession is a challenge for any school but East Morton CE Primary has come through with flying colours. These reports are full of praise for the way the school supports both pupils’ education and their personal and social development. They are a credit to everyone involved.”

Ofsted hat-trick for Swain House Primary

Thousands of Bradford pupils have had access to a good education at Swain House Primary School as inspectors have deemed it to be good in all areas for the third consecutive time.

The Bradford Council school has been consistently judged as good since 2009.

In a very complimentary short report, the first inspection since 2011, the inspectors commented that “the leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection” and senior leaders are “dynamic and driven by a strong desire to improve the outcomes for pupils”.

Staff “use monitoring and evaluation effectively to gather evidence of the strengths and weaknesses in the school”.

There has been a focus on improving pupils’ progress in mathematics with a team of teachers now leading on this subject. Much work has been done to improve attendance and punctuality.

“The governors hold senior leaders to account rigorously for the quality of teaching, learning and assessment and pupils’ progress in their area of the school. Senior leaders are similarly rigorous in holding teachers to account for the progress of their pupils. Consequently, leadership has strengthened.”

Headteacher, Dianne Rowbotham, said: “Pupils, staff and Governors are delighted with Ofsted’s latest findings as they clearly see the school as we do.

“We are also very pleased to have received a letter of congratulations from Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, and his deputy, Coun Richard Dunbar.

“Everyone has worked extremely hard to maintain this constant level of good teaching and learning and this outcome is very welcome.”

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “This is very welcome news for the school and the district. I have already sent my congratulations but would like to reiterate my thanks to everyone who has contributed to this positive outcome.”

The school’s Chair of Governors, Neil Traynor, said: “This latest report is very pleasing and is testimony to the work of pupils, staff, parents, Governors and the wider community.”

Other comments in the report include:

• Pupils now enjoy regular opportunities for problem solving and were seen during the inspection working enthusiastically in groups to unpick difficult problems and explain the method to each other
• Children behave well and engage in the activities which develop their reading, writing and mathematics. Consequently, the proportion of children reaching a good level of development (GLD) at the end of the early years has increased over a three-year period and was in line with the national average in 2016

Byron Primary School gets good judgement from Ofsted

Byron Primary School is celebrating the recognition that pupils are getting a good education according to its latest Ofsted inspection, as is the case with other schools in the locality.

The Bradford Council school in the BD3 area of Bradford, (primarily Barkerend and Bradford Moor) was judged to be good in all areas, which is a leap from its previous judgement of Requires Improvement when it was last inspected in 2014.

In a glowing report, the inspectors, spoke of the “strong leadership” and ambitious Governors who know the school’s strengths and priorities for improvement and provide good levels of support and challenge.

“Pupils’ outcomes are improving strongly and have risen significantly since the last inspection.”

The complimentary report says: “Parents are positive about the school.  They say how well adults care for their children and that they are safe at all times.”

“The curriculum is well planned to meet pupils’ needs, especially those at an early stage of learning English.”

Headteacher, Richard O’Sullivan, said:  “We are delighted with Ofsted’s findings and it is clear they see the school as we do.

“This is another example of the good leadership and effectiveness of primary schools within the BD3 area, with several other schools in our locality also being judged to be Good.  This is testimony to the improvements being made in our area.”

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “This positive outcome is excellent news for all those at Byron Primary and all those who have worked so hard to bring about this achievement”

“It is pleasing to know that thousands of our young people have access to a Good education in our district.”

Schools in the BD3 LAP (Local Achievement Partnership)
Byron Primary, Lapage Primary, St Mary’s and St Peter’s Catholic Primary, Killinghall Primary, Dixons Marchbank Academy, Feversham Primary Academy, Westminster Primary, Barkerend Academy, Peel Park Primary and Westminster Primary Academy.

School looks forward to bright future after Ofsted report success

Staff and pupils at Hothfield Junior School, in Silsden, are celebrating after receiving an Ofsted report praising it for being good in all areas.

The glowing report praises the school’s headteacher, teachers, pupils and governors for Hothfield’s success.

The school’s leadership and management, quality of teaching and learning, pupils’ results and the personal development, behaviour and welfare of pupils are all rated as good.

Pupils are said to be engaged in lessons and respond well to their teachers. Ofsted said their positive attitude to learning helped pupils to make good progress.

The Ofsted report highlights the teaching of maths as a strength of the school and also praises its use of the Reading Challenge Initiative which is said to have  been hugely successful in motivating pupils to read for pleasure.

Inspectors praise children at Hothfield for their behaviour. The report says they are polite and go out of their way to greet visitors or hold the doors open for others.

The school’s Headteacher James Procter said: “I am proud of the school’s pupils, parents and staff who make this school very special for the Silsden community.

“I am particularly pleased that the teaching of the maths has been highlighted as a strength of the school as we are aiming to become a centre of excellence in teaching the subject.”

Later this year Hothfield Junior School and Aire View Infants School, in Silsden, are to merge to become Silsden Primary School.

Mr Procter said: “Aire View Infants School has been inspected by Ofsted recently and was also found to be good. Later this year, our two good schools can come together to form one great primary school for Silsden.”

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “Hothfield Junior School’s Ofsted report makes great reading. It is positive about the work of the school and the pupils across the board. Huge credit goes to everyone involved in receiving such a good inspection report.”