Inspectors’ praise for tragic Saffie’s school
THE primary school attended by the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing has been praised by inspectors for its compassionate response.
Saffie Rose Roussos was a pupil at Tarleton Community Primary School before she died when a suicide bomb was detonated at an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.
The tragic eight-year-old was one of 22 people who were killed, while 139 people were wounded, more than half of them children.
The death, along with that of university student Georgina Callander, caused an outpouring of grief across the Tarleton community, and public vigils and a fundraising concert were subsequently held.
Now Saffie’s school has been rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted, with inspectors giving particular praise to how the school handled the aftermath of the tragedy.
School leaders were praised for creating a safe place of ‘normality’ in which pupils could grieve and learn, and also for its support for the wider community.
Comments from parents also praised the school, with Ofsted reporting one as saying: “Last year, during a very tragic and difficult time, the school did not just help the children, they reached out to us as parents, helping us help our children. Above and beyond what they needed to do.”
In his report outlining its reasons for the ‘Good’ rating, Her Majesty’s Inspector John Nixon said: “Leaders’ actions to support pupils, staff and the wider community following the tragic events of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack have been exemplary.
“They ensure that pupils and staff feel safe in school and that they have a place of normality in which to grieve and learn.”
The school was also praised for the quality of its teaching, its wide-ranging curriculum and its high attendance levels.
Inspectors also highlighted the impact of the school’s trip to France, use of theme days and the visit of celebrity author David Walliams as helping to engage pupils.
Headteacher Chris Upton said: “Whilst we are not surprised by the outcome of the inspection, we are pleased it recognises what a fantastic, forward-thinking school we have, and one which celebrates the successes of all of our extraordinary children.”