Children and staff at Shipley CE Primary School are celebrating after a hugely positive OFSTED saw the school secure a solidly good OFSTED judgement across all areas of the inspection framework.
The graded OFSTED report described the impact of huge changes in recent years which have secured massive and notable improvements in all areas, resulting in an increase of two full OFSTED grades since their previous inspection in 2017.
Inspectors commented “There has been significant improvement at the school since the new Headteacher and deputy headteacher took up post. With the support of the multi-academy Trust, leaders have developed a well sequenced and ambitious curriculum in all areas”.
The school’s ambitious approach to education was highlighted across all subjects with particular praise given to subject leadership in Maths and early reading. Inspectors commented positively on high expectations across the school and in particular the high expectations for children with Special Educational Needs who were provided access to the full school curriculum alongside their peers.
The inspection team applauded the strong ethos of the school, commending the ‘strong and caring relationships between staff and pupils’ and how ‘Leaders have woven the school values of love, honesty, thankfulness, respect, resilience, and forgiveness throughout the curriculum.’ Daily collective worship was praised for “sensitively supporting pupils’ spiritual development”.
Pupil feedback was also positive about their experiences of school, and this was noted through their “positive interactions with friends” and by very few concerns with behaviour choices. Despite the rapid pace in improvement, regard and care for staff wellbeing was also commended with Inspectors commenting that “Reductions in workload and a focus on wellbeing have helped to build a cohesive ethos” with staff speaking “positively about the professional development opportunities provided by the Multi-Academy Trust”.
Personal Development was also commended as a strength of the school with the well-structured personal development programme running from nursery to year six which ‘helps to equip pupils for life in modern Britain’. Topical issues including consent, recognition of the protected characteristics and equality and respect were recognised in conversations with pupils of all ages.
Gavin Hamilton, Headteacher ay Shipley CE Primary School said, “I am delighted that our school has got the recognition it deserves. Our report shows that our children live the values we explore in school in their daily interactions with each other. I am pleased that the report also recognises the strength in our Reading, Maths and wider curriculum. I am particularly proud of our amazing staff here in school and the work they put in every day to ensure all our children are nurtured and love learning.”
Carol Dewhurst OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, added: “What a fantastic result for the hard working and dedicated team at Shipley CE Primary school. The school has seen a lot of change over recent years and we would like to thank our students, our families, and our staff for coming on this successful journey with us. We will of course continue to work with you to make sure we continue to drive improvements and provide the very best education for our current and future students”.
Shipley CE Primary School is located on Otley Road, Shipley and is part of the successful Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust which leads a family of 14 primaries and four secondaries across the region to deliver high quality education within the context of Christian belief and practice.
The school joined the Trust in November 2018 following an ‘Inadequate’ judgement by OFSTED in 2017. This is the first time the school has been inspected since conversion
To read the full report click here