Bowling Park Primary celebrates Ofsted success

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.”

@BowlingParkPS

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.”

Newhall Park Primary’s joy at Ofsted success

Newhall Park Primary School, in Bierley, is thrilled at the recognition that its pupils receive a good education, according to its latest Ofsted report.

The school was judged to be good in all areas, which is a huge step forward from its previous judgement of Requires Improvement when last inspected in October 2014.

In a glowing report the inspectors found that both co-headteachers provide good leadership, staff morale is good and their “shared drive and vision ensures that pupils achieve well from their different starting points”.

“Pupils’ achievement has improved significantly since the last inspection.  The proportions of pupils reaching the expected standards in the Year 1 and 2 phonics checks have risen rapidly, and are above average.”

The report goes on to say that: “Senior leaders and subject leaders are very effective in regularly checking pupils’ outcomes and the quality of teaching, and in bringing about improvement.”

Inspectors said that parents are very positive about the school and are involved in their children’s learning from the start of their school lives, including receiving regular opportunities which allow them to learn alongside their children.

“The Governing Body is well informed of the school’s work and provides good levels of support and challenge.  Governors are committed and ambitious for the school.”

Co-headteachers at the school, Nicola Gatenby and Helen Scarth, said: “We are delighted with this latest report from Ofsted.  It is clear they see the school as we do.”

The Chairman of Governors, John Ruding said: “This has been a combined effort of everyone connected to our school community, particularly the inspirational leadership shown by our co-headteachers.  We are all extremely proud of these achievements.”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “This positive outcome is excellent news for all those at Newhall Park Primary and for the district.  Pupils, staff, parents, Governors and the wider community should be very proud that their hard work has paid dividends.”

St Mary’s is a Good school says Ofsted

Riddlesden St Mary’s CofE (Aided) Primary School has been judged to be good following its recent Ofsted inspection.

The school was judged to require improvement when it was previously inspected in March 2014.

In a very complimentary report, the inspectors said:  “The headteacher has high expectations of pupils and staff.  As a result, pupils’ outcomes and the quality of teaching have improved over time and are now good.Headteacher, Linda Wright, said:  “We are delighted with Ofsted’s findings as they recognised the amount of work which everyone has put in to bring about this positive outcome.

“We are particularly pleased they recognised the robust systems which we put in place to support improvement are proving efficient and that our Governors are well informed and pro-active.”

Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said:  “This is an excellent result for Riddlesden St Mary’s.  Pupils, staff, parents, Governors and the wider community who have all contributed to this achievement should be very proud.”

Other comments in the report include:

• Leaders are passionate about the school’s values and promote them exceptionally well.  As a result, pupils develop a clear understanding of democracy, law, freedom, liberty, tolerance and respect.
• Governorshave sought good training opportunities to ensure they have the necessary skills to fulfil their statutory responsibilities.
• The school is promoting reading well.
• Staff believe behaviour is good in school.  Parents agree and believe that their children enjoy school.