02
May
Headteacher ‘delighted’ with Knaresborough school for maintaining Ofsted rating
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The headteacher of a Knaresborough primary school is “absolutely delighted” with her school’s recent Ofsted report.
St Mary’s Primary School was graded ‘good’ by Ofsted in 2019, before a change in report structure removed the overall grades given to schools.
The school was rated ‘good’ in all five categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.
The recent inspection, which took place on March 18-19, found that the school had “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection”.
The report added:
Pupils form very warm relationships with school staff and with each other. This helps pupils to be happy and feel safe.
The school has high expectations of pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Pupils behave very well. They respond positively to the school’s high expectations and guidance. There is very little bullying.
The school is part of The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust, which is run by chief executive Darren Beardsley and overseen by a board of trustees. These people share responsibility with headteacher Helen Tomlinson for the running of the school.
Inspectors praised the school’s curriculum and teaching, saying that it is “logically organised” and that teachers display strong subject knowledge to reinforce it.
A focus on reading and mathematics in the school ensures that its pupils have a firm foundation for future learning, the report states:
Fundamental British Values and the school’s ‘virtues to live by’ are woven throughout the curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to become responsible, respectful and active citizens and learn that anything is possible regardless of ethnicity, culture or background.
Headteacher Helen Tomlinson told the Stray Ferret of her pride:
I’m absolutely delighted with our recent Ofsted report, which recognises the strong personal development of our pupils, the excellent progress they’re making, and the positive, respectful relationships that underpin our school community.
The inspectors also praised the real sense of belonging here – something we value deeply. This report is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the support of our families, and the hard work of our amazing students.
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