Newby Primary School is celebrating its latest Ofsted inspection report which praises it for creating a friendly and caring environment in which children enjoy their education.
The school in West Bowling, Bradford, has been rated as good in its latest short inspection by Ofsted inspectors.
This means the school has consistently been recognised as being good or better in all its inspections since Ofsted first visited back in 2001. Before this Newby Primary had been recognised as a Beacon School, a status given to the strongest performing schools in the country by the Department for Education in the 1990s.
The new report praises the school and its leadership team for maintaining a good quality of education since its last inspection in 2013.
Inspectors found that children are happy and enthusiastic about their lessons and that staff enjoy working at the school.
It adds that the teachers “particularly value the way in which families are at the heart of everything” the school does.
Inspectors also said staff at Newby Primary School speak with pride and enthusiasm about their work. It adds: “One member of staff stated : ‘Staff go the extra mile for children at this school and I feel it is a strength that together we make a difference to pupils and families.’”
Ofsted praise the way in which the school effectively monitors the progress of pupils and for its work with other schools in the area to provide support in developing leadership skills.
Headteacher Janice Stephenson said: “The whole school is very pleased with this report which recognises how happy and well supported our pupils are. I think it shows the strength of the entire school community here that Newby Primary School has always been a good school but as the report makes clear we are still striving to improve.”
Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in this latest Ofsted success. It is pleasing to see Ofsted praises Newby Primary School not only for the quality of its education but also for putting families at the heart of everything they do. As our Education Covenant makes clear education is everyone’s business and schools can only be successful with the support of their community.”
Newby Primary’s Chair of Governors Jackie Walters paid tribute to “the dedication of school staff, governors and parents in achieving these great results and especially the amazing pupils who are an inspiration to us all.”
The Ofsted report marks the end of a very successful academic year for the school as Mrs Walters was awarded the Governor of the Year Award at the 2017 Bradford and District Teaching Awards in March, having given more than 25 years service to Newby Primary School.
Staff and pupils at Fagley Primary School are celebrating being rated as outstanding in all areas by Ofsted.
In a glowing report the Bradford school was given the top inspection rating for the effectiveness of its leadership and management; the quality of its teaching and learning; pupils’ results; the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the children and for its early year years provision.
The report has been welcomed by the whole school community.
Head teacher Chris Parfitt said: “The report reflects the school ‘just as it is’ with sound statements reflecting the dedication and commitment of school staff and governors who are absolutely marvellous in their exceptional practice to enable every child to succeed and do their very best at school, at home and in the community, now and in the future”.
A group of Year 6 children read the report with a school governor and made the following comments:
“The report is fantastic – full of lovely comments about our school. The headteacher Mrs Parfitt, is a determined headteacher and she won’t stop until all children have achieved their standards. In her vision all pupils are stars in their own way”.
Inspectors said the headteacher’s vision that every pupil will make outstanding progress and aspire to be the best has helped to secure rapid improvements in the teaching and learning at Fagley Primary School.
The progress pupils make in reading, writing and maths by the end of their time in primary school is significantly above the national average.
Ofsted highlighted the exceptional curriculum which they say engages pupils very effectively. As a result, pupils at Fagley Primary thoroughly enjoy their education. The report also praises senior leaders for their work and governors who are said to be passionate in both their support for the school and their challenge of its leaders.
Inspectors say new staff are well supported in their roles and the quality of teaching is continuously improving.
Pupils and their families are cared for exceptionally well. Parents speak highly of the school and the support they receive from staff.
Ofsted said there are excellent relationships throughout school and behaviour is impeccable. Pupils are praised for respecting each other’s differences and work and play together harmoniously.
Judith Kirk, Bradford Council’s deputy director for education employment and skills said: “This Ofsted report is extremely positive about all aspects of school life at Fagley Primary School. Inspectors not only rate the education the school provides as outstanding but are also full of praise for the support and input of governors and parents and of the work and attitude of the pupils themselves. Everyone connected to the school deserves great credit.”
Head teacher Chris Parfitt said: “The report reflects the school ‘just as it is’ with sound statements reflecting the dedication and commitment of school staff and governors who are absolutely marvellous in their exceptional practice to enable every child to succeed and do their very best at school, at home and in the community, now and in the future”.
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.
Staff and pupils at Bowling Park Primary School are delighted to receive their second good Ofsted result following an inspection in March this year.
The result reflects the continued and sustained improvements that the school have undergone in the last few years.
In 2008, two schools, one based at Usher Street, and one based at New Cross Street were merged to create the new Bowling Park Primary.
Before this, both schools were struggling to achieve and Usher Street Primary had been in special measures for a number of years.
Since the merger, and the appointment of their new principal, Stuart Herrington, the school has come on in leaps and bounds.
This most recent inspection highlights how far the school has travelled to become a caring, hard-working and fun place to learn.
The Ofsted team noted that the school’s principal, leadership team and governors are “unwavering in their determination to ensure that every child is nurtured, cared for and inspired to learn”.
Inspectors were particularly impressed with children’s knowledge and ambitions for later life, adding: “Together, you have all been successful in enabling pupils to overcome barriers to learning. You have raised their aspirations and improved their life chances”.
The school was also pleased with the response from parents, who have always been very supportive. One parent described Bowling Park as, “a caring, stimulating environment”. They went on to say: “The team consistently challenge my children to progress and achieve their potential.”
In their inspection in 2008, Bowling Park Primary were advised to develop maths and the quality of teaching. In their most recent inspection Ofsted notes that “significant improvements” have been made.
Principal Stuart Herrington said: “Everyone at Bowling Park Primary is delighted with this report which we feel captures the strengths of our school. The school, staff, children and families are now looking forward to a very bright future, filled with lots more exciting learning and continued improvements.”
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.”
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 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.
Welcome to the sixteenth edition of Educate Positive, a regular publication which highlights excellence in education and across the district’s schools and settings. In this edition we look at another successful literacy initiative coordinated by the National Literacy Trust Hub in Bradford which is being rolled out to all schools, students’ success at the Rock Challenge, and how thousands of our young people have been educated in outstanding settings for a decade.
Thousands educated in outstanding settings
Thousands of young children in our district have been learning in outstanding settings for ten years. Both Lilycroft Nursery and Midland Road Nursery School have been given the top accolade by Ofsted for the fourth consecutive time.
Ofsted inspectors praise Midland Road for using its funding innovatively “through dance and outdoor play and teachers have woven the areas of learning skilfully into these sessions”.
Lilycroft Nursery School is praised for providing high quality teaching and provision for three and four-year-olds, and a safe, warm and exciting place for children to be. .
The two inspection reports mean that more than half of the nursery schools in the Bradford district are judged to be outstanding with the others all judged to be good.
Programme which tackles intolerance brings another win for Bradford
Bradford Council’s Strategic Manager for Education Safeguarding, Alina Khan, has been named as the 2016 Community Champion for Yorkshire and the North East in the first ever Remembering Srebrenica Charity Awards for the Stand Up Speak Out Make a Difference (SUSOMAD) Programme which has been running in our schools for the last seven years.
Bradford Council’s Strategic Manager for Education Safeguarding, Alina Khan, has been named as the 2016 Community Champion for Yorkshire and the North East in the first ever Remembering Srebrenica Charity Awards for the Stand Up Speak Out Make a Difference (SUSOMAD) Programme which has been running in our schools for the last seven years.
Via Alina (pictured above) and her team thousands of young people in the district have had the chance to be part of this Diversity & Cohesion programme which has helped them to challenge and reject hatred and intolerance.
This year the SUSOMAD work has enabled more than 100 Bradford school pupils to become young ambassadors to help raise awareness of the events in Srebrenica in which more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed.
Judges at the awards, run by the Remembering Srebrenica charity, said Alina’s work had helped inspire younger generations in Bradford to make their voices heard and to learn the lessons from history.
SUSOMAD has also been working in partnership with the Anne Frank Trust UK allowing pupils to help educate other children about Anne Frank’s life and the Holocaust, through an exhibition which tours Bradford schools. Since the launch of this project 1,400 Bradford pupils have become Anne Frank ambassadors and received training to help educate their peers.
For more information please contact Alina Khan, 01274 439384.
Raise in development levels in Early Years
A joint early years project in Bradford has raised low development levels in reception-aged children by more than double the Local Authority average.
The Early Language and Literacy Project was created by Bradford Council’s early childhood services and the National Literacy Trust’s Bradford Hub, in partnership with the Bradford Birth to 19 Teaching School Alliance (led by St Edmund’s Nursery School & Children’s Centre).
The project was rolled out to eight Bradford primary schools, with children’s centres across the district also being invited to take part, which promoted opportunities for joint working and information sharing between them and the schools.
The programme had a significant impact on those eight schools and findings have resulted in:
The number of children achieving a Good Level of Development (GLD)* score increased by an average of 9%, which is more than double the LA increase
The GLD scores across the eight schools increased by 12%
The gap between boys and girls achieving a GLD score narrowed by 18%
The programme was launched in response to the low GLD scores achieved by Bradford children, an issue which was particularly pronounced in schools in Bradford’s most deprived neighbourhoods. There was also a significant gap between genders, with boys achieving significantly lower GLD scores than girls.
The GLD measure is the most widely used single measure of child development in the early years. Children are defined as having reached a GLD at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) if they achieve at least the expected level in areas including communication and language, social development, mathematics and literacy.
For more details please contact Imran Hafeez, 01274 439246 or Lynn Donohue, 01274 01274 439606.
Great win for Grove House pupils
Children who attend the Additionally Resourced Centre (ARC) at Grove House Primary School entered the Living Paintings Great Cake Bake Challenge and won! The ARC helps children who have visual impairment, and the school’s entry into the competition was inspired by the publication of the latest book from author David Melling creator of Hugless Douglas and the Great Cake Bake.
David will be making a ‘virtual visit’ to Grove House Primary to talk to the children about how he creates his books and to give them a private preview of his latest project.
For more information please contact Grove House Primary School, 01274 636921.
Poetry success for schools
Following a successful pilot in four of our schools the National Literacy Trust Hub has announced that all other primary schools in the district will have access to the Our Stories poetry programme.
The aim of Our Stories is to engage pupils with lower literacy levels by fostering a love of creative writing, with a particular focus on boys. As part of the programme, pupils took part in innovative workshops with local performance poets, who encouraged them to explore their identity, personal challenge and ambitions through poetry.
To build on the excitement of these sessions, teachers were provided with a resource pack containing a wide range of poetry activities for the classroom. Local poets and spoken word artists including Joolz Denby and Dumi Senda donated their work to be included in the pack.
One of the schools involved in the programme was Horton Park Primary.
Data from the school shows:
The percentage of Year 6 pupils writing at the expected level doubled (from 46% to 92%)
36% of pupils are now writing above the expected level
100% of the pupils who took part in the programme made good progress, and 64% made outstanding progress
As a result of the success in the pilot schools, the Our Stories resource will now be provided free to all primary schools for teachers to use with their Key Stage 2 classes. A training session will also be held in the New Year for teachers who are interested in delivering the programme. This has been made possible by generous funding from Bradford Primary Improvement Partnership (BPIP).
There will be a training session in March for schools interested in taking part in the programme. Please contact Imran Hafeez on the number below for details.
The photo shows the pupils on a visit to a local museum using what they saw to inspire their writing.
Parkside student, Jake Taglione, proved that collaborative working between schools and hospitality employers pays off as he won a place to compete in the regional final of the Springboard’s Future Chef Competition in February 2017.
Parkside student, Jake Taglione, proved that collaborative working between schools and hospitality employers pays off as he won a place to compete in the regional final of the Springboard’s Future Chef Competition in February 2017.
The Future Chef programme directly relates to the national curriculum and gives young people a life skill whilst developing their culinary skills and their understanding of nutrition.
Jake’s winning menu consisted of Gressingham duck with flambéed passion fruit followed by chocolate fondant with a stout ice-cream and a caramel tuile.
Annually over 8,000 young people take part in this programme aimed at 12-16 year olds.
For more information please contact Parkside School, T 01535 272752.
Parkside students excel at Rock Challenge
Students at Parkside displayed immense team working when they won three awards of excellence for the soundtrack, entertainment and video performance at the Rock Challenge event recently.
Students rehearsed for hours whether it was for the performance, helping backstage or working alongside the light/sound/video crew. This was an excellent experience for all concerned. Well done Team Parkside.
For more information please contact Parkside School, 01535 272752.
Copthorne receives its Challenge Award
Pupils at Copthorne Primary School made the grade when presented with the challenge of “being the best that they can be.”
The school was visited by NACE (National Association for Able Children in Education) who presented its prestigious Challenge Award at the end of last term.
NACE is a not-for-profit organisation which supports teachers to provide teaching and learning for able, gifted and talented pupils, and also provides challenge for all pupils to help them reach their potential.
The Award was about how the school was challenging all pupils but, in particular, those identified as more able and talented. The NACE assessor visited classrooms to observe lessons, carried out scrutinies of planning and work to ensure that children were being stretched at all times, interviewed pupils, parents, governors and teachers to triangulate the evidence about how our pupils are challenged. The assessor explored the school’s policies, school development plan and subject action plans to ensure that provision for More Able learners and challenge were explicit.
For more information please contact Christabel Shepherd, Head of School, 01274 501460.
If you would like to share some of your success and achievement stories in a future edition of Educate Positive please contact Alyson.hardaker@bradford.gov.uk or ring her on 01274 434673.
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.”
Staff at two nursery schools in Bradford are celebrating being given a top grade by Ofsted for the fourth inspection in a row – meaning they have been rated as outstanding for ten years.
Lilycroft Nursery School and Midland Road Nursery School have both been judged to be outstanding in new reports praising the quality of early years education they provide.
For both nursery schools it is the fourth consecutive time they have achieved this – having first been rated as outstanding back in 2007 in their first inspections after this top grade was created by Ofsted.
Ofsted inspectors praise Midland Road for using its funding innovatively “through dance and outdoor play and teachers have woven the areas of learning skilfully into these session”.
The school employs a dance specialist and a forest school specialist to deliver these sessions and was able to demonstrate the significant impact on children’s learning and progress.
Parents say the nursery school is “brilliant” and staff are “excellent at treating children as individuals, developing their interest and helping them to make progress.”
Headteacher Sharon Hogan said: “I was delighted that the inspector recognised that the staff team is a strength of the school. We have a great mixture of experienced and younger colleagues who together ensure that Midland Road not only continues to be outstanding after so many years but has also been able to grow and expand the work that it does.”
Lilycroft Nursery School is also given glowing praise in its new report published today. Inspectors say the school provides high quality teaching and provision for three and four-year-olds.
The report says Lilycroft staff have created “a safe, warm and exciting place for children to be. Parents say how excited their children are about coming to school.”
It adds: “Teachers plan effectively to offer open-ended activities which allow children to take their learning as far as they are able, and children have the confidence to do this.”
It also praises the school for working hard to involve parents in their child’s reading and supporting them to do this effectively. Inspectors say parents have valued this support and comment on how well their children are progressing, particularly with language development.
The two inspection reports mean that more than half of the nursery schools in the Bradford district are judged to be outstanding with the others all judged to be good.
Two other Bradford nursery schools have been rated as outstanding by Ofsted. Canterbury Nursery and Centre for Children and Families, was given this rating earlier this year and St Edmunds’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre was rated as outstanding at its inspection last year – for the third time in a row.
Anne-Marie Merifield, who is executive head at both Lilycroft and St Edmund’s said: “Our successful Ofsted reports show the impact nursery schools can have. For us it shows the importance of having qualified teachers working with children to give them a good grounding so that they are able to make the most of school when they start their formal education.”
Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “These reports are a credit to everyone involved at Lilycroft and Midland Road Nursery Schools. It is great to see that all of the nursery schools in the Bradford district are rated as good or outstanding giving us a great foundation to build upon.”
Bradford Parents On The Go 