Moorside Primary School and Nursery, in Ripon, has been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
The findings were published in a report yesterday following a two-day inspection in September.
Government inspectors rated the school and nursery, which has 168 pupils, ‘good’ in all four categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.
It was the first assessment since Moorside Primary School and Moorside Infant School amalgamated in 2019.
Inspectors said the school “lies at the very heart of its community” and found “pupils enjoy attending school”. They added:
“Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), establish positive relationships with staff. They describe their teachers as ‘caring’ and ‘kind’.
“Parents are effusively positive about the school. One parent captured the views of many in saying: ‘Our children are so lucky to start their education at Moorside. The school is a credit to itself and the community.’”
The report praised the wide range of opportunities given to children, including various clubs and the on-site forest school, as well as trips out into the local area – citing a recent trip to Fountains Abbey.
The school has high expectations of pupils’ behaviour, the report added, and said “pupils enjoy the praise they receive for their good behaviour”. It said:
“They treat their teachers and each other with respect. They talk politely and confidently to visitors, enjoying opportunities to talk about their school.
“Pupils say that they feel safe and they know they can share any concerns with staff.”
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The report said staff are “well trained” and they have a good understanding of the subjects they teach, while leaders and governors have a “shared ambition for the school and its pupils”.
Inspectors also found the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “carefully considered” and adjustments are made to enable these pupils “to successfully access the same curriculum as their peers”.
It added:
“Pupils study a well-sequenced curriculum for personal, social, health and economic education.
“They learn about positive relationships, mental health and the benefits of diversity. Pupils learn about British values.”
The environment of the “warm and welcoming” early years department was found to be “bright and inviting”.
Areas of improvement
Despite the “ambitious” curriculum, inspectors found the school had not “defined precisely the important knowledge that they want pupils to learn”, adding:
“Consequently, some pupils struggle to retain their learning and, therefore, cannot build on this over time.
“The school should review some aspects of the curriculum to ensure that there is greater clarity for teachers about what pupils should know and remember at each stage of their learning, across all subjects.”
It also said, although the school “prioritises” reading, some pupils are given books to read that are “too difficult” and “not well-matched to their phonic ability”, meaning they “struggle to practise” what they have learned.
“The school should make sure pupils’ reading books are well matched to the phonics pupils know.”
‘A fantastic milestone’
In response to the report, Claire Rowett, headteacher of Moorside Primary School and Nursery, said:
Council requests road safety measures for two Ripon schools“I would like to thank the dedicated and committed staff and governors who have been part of our unique journey, and helped us to not only physically build a school, but a strong community ethos with children at the heart of it.
“I would also like to thank the parents for their overwhelming support; working in collaboration with us to support their children and for also sharing their views with Ofsted where 100% of them said that they would recommend our school to another parent.
“This is a fantastic milestone on Moorside’s journey to celebrate and the school endeavours to continue to build on their success in the future.
“We are always pleased to share our wonderful provision that we have grown here a Moorside and offer opportunities for prospective parents, families and members of the community to visit at any time.”
Safety concerns relating to parking and vehicle movements close to two Ripon primary schools have prompted the city council to seek remedies.
Highways authority, North Yorkshire County Council, is being approached with a request to put double yellow lines on Highfield Road, close to the junction with Lead Lane.
A request is also being made for a 7.5 tonnes weight limit to be put in place on Quarry Moor Lane.
Greystone Outwood Academy Primary School is on the busy Quarry Moor Lane.
At last week’s full meeting of the city council, leader Andrew Williams, said:
“I am concerned that parents dropping off and collecting children from Moorside Primary School are creating problems for both pedestrians and other motorists, by parking close to the Highfield Road/Lead Lane junction.
“I have checked on the junction at the start of the school day and at school closing time when the junction is busy with cars parked on either side of the road and sight lines are affected, increasing the risk of an accident.”
Following a request from a resident living in Quarry Moor Lane, the council agreed that a weight limit on the road, which runs past Outwood Primary Academy Greystone, would reduce the risk for pupils attending the school.
Currently, heavy goods vehicles are able to use Quarry Moor en-route to and from the Dallamires Lane Industrial Estate.
Read more:
Harrogate district schools get in jubilee spirit
Schools in the Harrogate district are celebrating the Queen’s platinum jubilee ahead of next week’s half-term holidays.
Pupils have been making crafts, performing re-enactments and putting on performances to commemorate the Queen’s 70th year on the throne.
If you have images of jubilee activities at your school, send them to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will add them to this article.
Harrogate Ladies’ College
The Harrogate Ladies’ College held a special jubilee dinner and finished it off with a ceilidh.
Springwater School
The sixth form students at the Harrogate school put on a opened their own jubilee bakery with home-made scones, cakes and jam.
The students also decorated the school in red, white and blue and had their own version of the Queen sat in the school.
St Peter’s Church of England Primary School
Pupils at St Peter’s have had a busy week celebrating the platinum jubilee.
This week Owl class held a tea party with a specially choreographed dance to perform alongside ‘Dancing for Wellbeing’ a local group of elderly residents who dance for their health and enjoyment.
The school had a full church service followed by an afternoon of craft making flags, keyrings and painting canvases and stones.
Years 3 and 4
Starbeck Primary Academy
Children dressed up in red, white, blue, purple and silver. They had a day making craft and artwork that was all dedicated to Her Majesty.
Scotton Lingerfield Primary School
Children at Scotton Lingerfield dressed up in red, white and blue and took part in craft activities this week.
Fountains Church of England Primary School
Fountains Church School has held a week of jubilee activities for its students.
The children danced and sang whilst decorating plates to keep as a momento of the platinum jubilee.
An afternoon tea was also held for all the parents with the children spending much of the morning preparing sandwiches and cakes for the adults to enjoy.
Upper Nidderdale Primary Federation – Glasshouses Community Primary, St Cuthbert’s C of E and Fountains Earth C of E Primary Schools
This week the three schools have been learning about the Queen’s reign and commemorated the event by burying a time capsule and planting a rose tree.
The children also performed a song, made crowns and painted portraits of the Queen.
Over the week, the schools invited parents in to enjoy tea and cakes.
Today, children across all three schools will come together to enjoy an afternoon tea at lunchtime.
Kirkby Malzeard Church of England Primary School
Children at Kirkby Malzeard School made crowns and decorated cakes to celebrate the jubilee.
Dacre Braithwaite Church of England Primary School
Pupils at Dacre Braithwaite Primary enjoyed a jubilee themed day yesterday with a variety of activities.
The children learnt about the significance of the Union Jack flag and to sing the National Anthem. They also made and decorated 96 jubilee buns and made their own crowns.
They did plan to have an outdoor street party but unfortunately the weather meant it had to be inside but headteacher, Jo Dobbs said it was still a “brilliant day”.
Western Primary School
Children from Western Primary School had their faces painted and got to dress up for the day today as they learnt about the Queen’s 70-year reign.
The students spent the morning learning about the jubilee and what the Queen has done during her reign.
Angelique Coatesworth, year 3 and four phase leader, said:
“We watched a clip of the original coronation and marvelled at the pomp and ceremony, especially the golden coach. All the children were fascinated with our discussions on what life was like back when the queen was coronated at just 25 years old.
“We made some commemorative art of the queen’s face. The children worked very carefully on these. Our dress up winners each received a royal themed book. This was organised by our wonderful family and friends.”
Killinghall Church of England Primary School
Pupils at Killinghall Primary School held a coronation with a garden party and a musical concert.
Grewelthorpe Church of England Primary School
Students at the school held a coronation re-enactment using props and costumes they made themselves.
Andrew Breckon, year 5 and 6 teacher, said:
“We held it in the village church and then had a tea party back at school with our new ‘Elizabeth sponge’ which the children made too.”
Students from Grewelthorpe made their own costumes for the re-enactment.
St Robert’s Catholic Primary School
The year 2 Starlings class at St Robert’s got their very own visit from the Queen.
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Brackenfield School
Brackenfield School is preparing for a jubilee showcase tomorrow with readings, music and performances by the children.
The first half will be led by the infants performing two original songs written by the school’s music director, Helen Leaf, and classic London-based songs such as Lambeth Walk.
The second half of the showcase will begin with a montage from the school’s junior choir, including musical numbers and readings, guiding the audience through the life of the Queen up to the present day.
Headteacher Joe Masterson said:
“The jubilee is a fantastic opportunity for us to hold an afternoon filled with delicious cakes and impressive entertainment, highlighting the wonderful and wide-ranging talents of our children. They have been rehearsing tirelessly, all eagerly anticipating their performances, and can’t wait to host our special guests.”
Moorside Primary School
Children at Moorside Primary School in Ripon were gifted special, wooden pennies from the Rotary Club of Ripon Rowels to commemorate the jubilee.
The pennies have been made by a team of workers at Jennyruth Workshops and have been gifted to every pupil at the 17 primary schools in the city and surrounding villages.
The school held a garden party, attended by a woman looking very much like Her Majesty, organised a Royal Bake Off and dressed in red, white and blue.
Headteacher Claire Rowett said:
“We’ve had a week of celebrations involving our children and staff and everybody was in a joyous jubilee mood, as we look forward to the the events being held in the city centre and residential streets.”
“As a prelude to the extended Bank Holiday weekend, we created a portrait gallery with pictures of the Queen drawn by pupils.”
The children, with Union Jacks in hand, prepare for ‘The Queen’s’ arrival
The Queen’ meets one of the pupils at Moorside Primary
Follifoot Church of England Primary School
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
St Joseph’s school celebrated on earlier this week with all the children dressing in red, white and blue and enjoying a street party on the playground and playing field.
Children and their families were invited to join the event. Children sang, shared foods, played party games and took part in a royal quiz.
Ashville College
Children at Ashville College made the shape of the number 70 whilst a drone flew overhead to take their picture.
Highfield Prep
Children made decorations, dressed up, and planted saplings for the Queen’s Green Canopy
The right royal city of Ripon is sending many happy returns to the Queen — along with a very special card.
The card, larger than any Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle windowsill can accommodate, has been produced in time for delivery for the monarch’s 96th birthday on April 21.
Accompanying eight-year-old Edward Blythe’s giant imaginative creation, will be a book containing thousands of birthday greetings from the people of Ripon.
Edward, a pupil of Moorside Primary School, told the Stray Ferret:
“I decided to have a corgi wearing a crown as my design, because I know they are the Queen’s favourite dog.
“I hope she likes it.”
Edward and his winning design, is pictured with, from the left: The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Eamon Parkin, city council leader Andrew Williams, Claire Rowett, headteacher of Moorside Primary School and Jeremy Dunford of Ripon Together
Ahead of its extensive programme of platinum jubilee events in June, Ripon City Council decided it would be a fitting early kick off to the celebrations, if it sent the Queen a special birthday card.
Hundreds of primary and secondary pupils and students at schools in Ripon and the wider area, took part in the project, supported by the council, Ripon Cathedral and Ripon Together.
Cllr Parkin said:
“This city has extremely long royal roots, going back to Alfred the Great in 886 and his donation of a ceremonial horn to his loyal supporters, for fighting off a Viking attack.
“Ripon also fought on the side of the Royalists in the English Civil War and our Royal Engineers have enjoyed the Freedom of The City since 1949.”
Former Moorside primary pupil Cllr Williams, added:
“As well as being a good fun exercise for the schools, asking children to create a special card for the Queen, has provided a creative way of letting them find out more about her incredible 70 years of service to this country.”
Year 3 pupil Edward was congratulated for the striking multi-textured card by Moorside Primary headteacher Claire Rowett, who said:
“This is a fantastic achievement, well done to him.
“We are currently planning our jubilee celebrations as a school.”
Production of the card was handled by Jeremy Dunford, of Ripon Together, who said:
“It will be sent by special delivery – Royal Mail, of course!”
Read more:
Ripon primary school receives ‘buddy bench’ to combat loneliness
A primary school in Ripon has been given a new buddy bench to mark anti-bullying week.
Moorside Primary School received the bench from the company Annington, which has been refurbishing former Ministry of Defence homes nearby.
Children who feel sad or anxious can sit on the bench as a signal to others that they need a friend to speak to.
Made with sustainable wood, the buddy bench is engraved with the following poem:
“We sit, we chat and ask each other questions. We leave as friends, with all good intentions.”
Claire Rowett, the headteacher at Moorside Primary School, said:
“It’s so important to create a safe and caring environment for children so that they are able to talk about their feelings, especially during such uncertain times.
“A shy or anxious child may struggle to ask someone else for support, which is why the buddy bench is such a vital tool in teaching the children what to do when they feel lonely.
“We are very grateful to Annington for donating the bench to us.”
The new buddy bench.
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Annington is one of the largest private owners of residential property in the UK, with over 40,000 homes across England and Wales.
Louise Saunders, sales and marketing manager at Annington, said the company strived to support local communities, adding:
“We are proud to gift the buddy bench to Moorside Primary School, and we hope that the children will be able to use it to create new friendships and feel more confident for many years to come.”
Anti-Bullying Week is organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and takes place from November 15 to 19. This year’s theme is “one kind word.”
