Ofsted praises primary school

PUPILS feel proud to belong to a small, friendly school in Runcorn, Ofsted found.

Zarina Connolly, Ofsted Inspector, reached the view following a two day visit to Aston by Sutton Primary on Aston Lane, Aston.

The inspector said the overall effectiveness of the school was ‘Good’ as was the quality of education, the behaviour and attitudes of the children, their personal development, the leadership and management of the school and the early years provision.

“Pupils feel proud to belong to this small, friendly school,” said the inspector.

The inspector’s report said pupils appreciate the ‘kind and caring nature’ of staff and their classmates, while the school’s values of ‘respect, inspire and achieve’ underpin pupils’ everyday actions.

Newcomers to the school community are warmly welcomed.

Pupils, including children in the early years, rise to their teachers’ high expectations for behaviour and feel happy and safe at school.

The school is aspirational for all pupils and children strive to achieve their potential in all the subjects they study.

A wide range of opportunities is offered by the school to spark their interests and knowledge.

Youngsters enjoy the variety of extra-curricular clubs on offer to them and regularly take part in fundraising events, the report said.

The report also added that the school has acted quickly to deal with issues raised at a previous inspection and in most subjects there is now an ambitious and well-designed curriculum.

The school ensures that the additional needs of pupils are identified quickly and accurately.

Staff have received training to enable them to successfully adapt the delivery of the curriculum for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those with SEND can access the same ambitious curriculum as their classmates.

The school has taken important steps to strengthen the way that reading is taught and this is seen as a ‘relaxing and pleasurable pastime’ by pupils.

A successful approach to maintaining high standards of behaviour has been implemented and there is

‘very little’ disruption to learning.

The school prioritises attendance and its work to support the families of those few pupils who are regularly absent is strong, the inspector found.

Across the school, pupils’ rates of attendance are high.

The school’s personal development offer is ‘rich and ambitious.’

The report also said staff appreciate the kind and caring culture that leaders have created throughout the school.

During the inspection, among other aspects, the inspector carried out deep dives in early reading, mathematics, design and technology and computing.