Top marks for school which had ‘legacy of weak teaching’
A SCHOOL criticised by Ofsted and told it ‘requires improvement’ is celebrating after being rated ‘good.’
St John Fisher RC Primary School, in Tameside, was told it needed to improve in a number of key areas including quality of teaching and outcomes for pupils.
Since the inspection, in 2018, it has been under the leadership of a new headteacher, Mandy Harris, who has helped to turn the school around.
A report from the recent inspection in March this year has rated the Denton school ‘good’ in all areas, with inspectors praising many aspects of school life.
It states: “Pupils enjoy attending St John Fisher RC Primary School. They told inspectors that they feel happy and safe when they are in school. Pupils said that their teachers look after them.
“Teachers have high expectations of pupils academically, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). In return, pupils concentrate on their learning and achieve well. Equally, pupils know that teachers expect them to behave appropriately.
“Pupils try hard to follow the three school rules. They can articulate what it means to be safe, to be ready and to be respectful.”
It goes on to say that ‘relationships between pupils and staff are strong’ and that ‘all pupils, including children in the early years, enjoy a wide range of activities that develop their personal skills.’
The previous inspection found that pupils’ achievement in writing remained low, with boys continuing to underperform compared to girls. “Too few pupils reach the higher standard across reading, writing and mathematics,” the report said.
But now leaders have been praised for planning ‘a broad and ambitious curriculum for all pupils’ and for continuing ‘to develop and refine the curriculum so that it closely aligns with the needs of the pupils.’
The report states: “Subject leaders have identified the important knowledge and skills that they want pupils to learn. They ensure that new learning builds on what pupils know and can already do. The welldesigned curriculum supports pupils to know and remember more important subject content. Pupils who leave St John Fisher RC Primary School have the skills and knowledge that they need to access the next stages of their education.”
Mrs Harris, who took over as headteacher in September 2018, said: “It is fantastic that Ofsted have recognised what a great school St John Fisher is and how far we have come in the past few years. We pride ourselves on being a family and all our children have a real sense of belonging. The report highlights the excellent standard of education, care and support the children receive.”