Market Drayton primary school rated 'good' in remarkable Ofsted turnaround
A Market Drayton school has been given a glowing report by Ofsted inspectors – just three years after it was at the bottom of the county’s league tables.
Staff at Longlands Primary School are celebrating after it was praised across all categories by the education watchdog.
The Ofsted report rated Longlands as a ‘good' school after being placed in special measures during its last inspection. When it became part of Shrewsbury Academies Trust in 2015 it was statistically the worst performing school in Shropshire.
Headteacher Zillah Cope said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the inspection, particularly given the framework which is so much more demanding than previous ones.
“The report captures the very essence of what Longlands Community Primary School is all about and reflects the huge journey the school has undertaken since our last inspection in February 2014.
“I am proud of the incredible hard work and achievements of a very dedicated and talented team of staff and pupils and would like to take this opportunity to thank our parents and governors for their continuing positivity and support.
“We have all pulled together through some pretty challenging times and Longlands is now a thriving, happy community school. To have that recognised by Ofsted is incredibly rewarding and gratifying.”
The Ofsted report, which was published yesterday, highlighted several areas for praise, including “significant improvements in the quality of teaching and pupils’ outcomes since the school converted to become an academy."
It also said that “pupils’ behaviour and conduct are exemplary” and “leaders have put significant effort into improving teaching and outcomes in key stages 1 and 2".
The report acknowledges that “pupils’ progress across key stages 1 and 2 is good because teaching is lively and effective”.
The only area the report said Longlands required improvement was in early years provision.
Geoff Pettengell, chief executive of Shrewsbury Academies Trust, said: “What Zillah and her team have achieved at Longlands is nothing short of extraordinary.
“Longlands is first and foremost a wonderful community school and, while it has undoubtedly faced challenges over the years, hopefully this Ofsted report will make the community proud of the school which sits at its heart.”
