Bradford headteacher puts city’s education on the world stage at major Chinese conference

A headteacher from a Bradford primary school has helped to put the city on the global education map as she appeared as a keynote speaker at a major education conference held in China.

Gill Edge, co- headteacher of Killinghall Primary School, was invited by the Chinese National Institute of Education Sciences to speak at their fourth China Future Schools Conference.

She spoke about how technology is used to assess, support and improve teaching at her school in Bradford, which has recently been rated as Good by Ofsted inspectors.

She told the conference in China how software is used to provide feedback and assessment to her staff to help with their professional development and to raise standards at the school.

The conference was attended by more than 1,000 delegates from across China and other international speakers who were attending as members of the Future School Laboratory.

Membership is based on meeting entry criteria and then being regularly re-assessed and only the best performing schools in China qualify. The Future School Laboratory was established by the Chinese Government to identify how to improve curriculum, learning spaces, educational technology and assessment. Its role is to support the government in its decision making and provide practical solutions for schools in China.
Gill gave her perspective as head of Killinghall Primary to demonstrate how the effective use of education technology in the UK has helped to identify strengths and weaknesses in the teaching in school and how working together with her staff they have been able to make rapid improvements.
She said: “It was a massive event and I was talking to an audience of more than 1,000 people. I was very proud to represent Bradford as I feel we are often not recognised for the excellent work that goes on in our schools across the district.

“There are currently no established teaching standards in China. I was able to explain how teaching standards are used nationally in the UK and how supporting and challenging teachers through appraisal has improved the quality of teaching and learning in our schools.”

She also took part in a roundtable discussion with leading educators from Finland, Hong Kong and China to discuss individualised learning and how it was implemented in each of their countries. She said that “individualised learning is well developed in Bradford where education is about the whole child – we aim to build resilience and empathy as well as ensuring children are competent in basic skills. Being ready for the world of work and prepared for future employment we may not yet be able to imagine is our aim.”

She was accompanied at the conference by James de Bass, chief executive officer and founder of Educate, the UK company that produces the Standards Tracker software which Killinghall Primary School use.

Fagley Primary flying high with outstanding Ofsted success

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 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.

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

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.”