Delight as school gets 'outstanding' rating
Delighted pupils and staff at an 'outstanding' junior school are celebrating after they were rewarded with the top rating by the education watchdog Ofsted.
Inspectors praised the teaching standards and management of Newdale Primary and Nursery School, in Telford.
A new report stated that the school, in Marlborough Way, Newdale, was outstanding in all five of the categories that was observed by the inspectors during their visit.
These were the effectiveness of the school's leadership, the quality of teaching and learning, personal development, behaviour and welfare , outcomes for the children and early years provision.
Head Rachel Cook who has been at the school since 2003 when she arrived as deputy headteacher, said: "We are so proud to be found to be outstanding in all areas.
"This is a huge achievement for us and absolutely fantastic in terms of the people who have been working so hard here. The key is the huge support that we get from the parents and the wider community. We run lots of events in our school and the community really come out to support everything that we put on.
"We get between 200 to 300 people turning up to our events and activities. During the school year we hold events suitable for the whole family. For example we have a tea party for grandparents that is well supported.
"As far as teachers are concerned the team go above and beyond the call of duty and it is paying off with the good levels of attainment that we are seeing."
Newdale's previous Ofsted inspection found that it was a 'good' school and the latest check that was carried out last month found the school had improved even more and was now outstanding in its overall operations.
The report stated: "Standards are high, behaviour is excellent and leadership at all levels is highly effective. The headteacher provides superb leadership that inspires confidence, embraces innovation and spurs on all to do their best. She leads a very capable team that has lifted the school’s overall effectiveness to outstanding. Pupils of all abilities make excellent and sustained progress across the school.
"Standards in reading, writing and mathematics are well above national figures at the end of key stages 1 and 2.
"Teaching in all year groups is highly effective for all abilities, although there is scope to improve the way less-able pupils are taught spelling. Teachers set a brisk engaging pace and have high expectations for classroom behaviour. Consequently, pupils’ attitudes to one another and their learning are exemplary. The curriculum is packed full of exciting activities that fire pupils’ imaginations and lead to success."
Miss Cook who was appointed as head in 2008 said the latest achievement will be celebrated on July 14 with a street procession.
