School is proud of its ‘Good’ report
ASMALL primary school in Rossendale, where individuality is celebrated, has maintained its Good Ofsted rating following a two-day inspection.
Northern Primary School, in Burnley Road, Weir, was last inspected in 2018 and in February was visited by Lead Inspector Sheena Clark.
Her report says: “This is a small and friendly school where pupils are celebrated for their individuality. Pupils arrive at school happy and ready to learn.
“They are greeted warmly by staff and their friends each morning. This pleasant atmosphere continues throughout the school day.”
It was noted that the school provides ‘valuable’ opportunities for the pupils to learn about and experience the wider world including visiting different places of worship, pupils undertaking club captaincy roles and a wide variety of after-school clubs.
Deputy Headteacher Sandra Melvin said: “We are delighted with the inspector’s comments about our school.
“Staff have worked exceptionally hard and have gone above and beyond and we are delighted that an external examiner has come into school and acknowledged this.
“Northern is a real community school, with a family ethos that has been recognised.”
The school’s curriculum was praised and the report states: “Subject curriculums have been carefully designed to enable pupils to build on their previous learning. Most pupils learn well from the curriculum.”
New concepts were presented with
clarity and appropriate activities were selected to help pupils to learn well.
The report says: “The school has prioritised the teaching of early reading. As soon as they join the Reception year, children start to learn the sounds that letters make.
“When pupils struggle with reading, the school makes sure they receive the help that they need to develop into confident and successful readers. The school promotes a love of reading.
“Teachers quickly identify any additional needs that pupils may
have. They then make any necessary adaptations to their teaching, including implementing advice from external professionals. This enables pupils with SEND (Special Educational Needs and /or Disabilities) to successfully access the same curriculum as their peers and to learn well.”
Pupils understand the school rules, follow clear routines and the inspector noted this ‘creates a sense of order and calm around the school’.
Governors understand the school’s priorities and have a range of expertise to help them support the school
effectively. The report notes: “The staff that were spoken to were extremely positive about school. They are proud to be members of the school community.”
Arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
The school’s next steps are to ensure teachers receive appropriate support to develop their subject-specific knowledge and developing assessment strategies that teachers can use with confidence and accuracy so any gaps in pupils’ learning are identified and tackled quickly.