Village primary school where parents feel 'lucky' to send their children celebrates glowing Ofsted report
Children and staff at a village primary school in south Shropshire have been celebrating after receiving a glowing Ofsted report.
Bishop Hooper Church of England Primary School in Ashford Carbonel near Ludlow has been praised as a "friendly school that welcomes all".
After an inspection on June 24 and 25, the school's personal development of pupils and early years provision has been rated 'outstanding', while the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management have been graded 'good'.
In a report published on Monday (September 8), Ofsted described the school's provision for wider development as "exceptional". Inspectors were impressed with a wide range of rich opportunities for pupils through clubs, including handbells, dance and sports.
The school was also praised for having high expectations of pupils who "achieve well". Ofsted said parents and carers of pupils were "unanimously positive" about the school.
The report said: "One parent comment, typical of many, stated 'this is a lovely small rural school that I’m lucky enough to be able to say my child attends'."
Headteacher at Bishop Hooper CofE Primary School, Anna Gittens, expressed her delight at the report.
She said: "I am immensely proud of our school and, reading the Ofsted report, it is clear that the inspectors saw and felt what an incredibly special and unique place we have here."
"The staff team, governors and I remain committed to offering the best educational experience to all the children who attend Bishop Hooper school and look forward to continuing to develop and grow as an exceptional place of learning where pupils flourish."
Inspectors praised the school for working "diligently" since a previous inspection in 2023 to improve its curriculum. The report added that children in early years make an "excellent start".
Moreover, the primary school’s motto of 'believing together, achieving together' is said to be understood and a reality.
"The school’s work on pupils’ personal development is impressive," the report said. "It sits at the heart of all it does.
"The school provides pupils with rich experiences that support their learning. For example, pupils explain how a trip to a ‘4D cinema’ helps them to understand what it was like to be a pilot in World War Two.
"Pupils relish the roles and responsibilities afforded to them. These include being house captains and sports ambassadors. They say these roles 'help us grow in confidence and be mature'.
"Pupils learn how to become thoughtful and caring young people who respect and appreciate the diversity of the world in which they live."
The full report can be found here.
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