Thumbs up for school following church inspection
A SCHOOL has received top marks for its religious commitment.
Bollington St John CofE Primary School was rated ‘outstanding’ in its recent Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) report.
This saw the school maintain the mark it received during its previous inspection in 2013.
The SIAMS focus on the religious teachings at the school and how pupils and staff interact with the curriculum.
According to the report the school has excelled in a number of areas, with children having achieved an ‘outstanding spiritual and personal development’, supported by teachers. The school was also noted for ‘pupils’ exemplary behaviour and remarkably positive attitudes to life and learning’.
Headteacher Melanie Walker was singled out for creating a positive environment fo teachers and pupils to work in.
The report said: “The strong, determined Christian leadership and example of the headteacher, ably supported by dedicated staff and committed governors, has driven all aspects of school improvement. This has created a distinctly Christian learning environment in which every member of the school community can flourish and achieve.”
Throughout the report Bollington was also commended for the ‘exemplary’ behaviour of its pupils .
During the visit the inspector also spoke with children with one saying the religion lessons were ‘extremely interesting’.
Staff at Bollington were encouraged by the inspector to support other church schools in order to help them improve their standards.
They were also encouraged to include ‘all members of the school community in a full review of the vision statement’ so they can ‘more fully understand and support the core Christian vision’.
Mrs Walker said she was delighted with the results of the inspection and proud of the work the staff and pupils have been putting in.
She said: “We are all delighted that our marvellous children, wonderful staff and governors and supportive parents have been acknowledged by this report, which judged the school as Outstanding in every category. We were particularly proud that our bespoke creative curriculum and nurturing relationships in our family school were highlighted by the inspector.”