Primary school celebrates new Ofsted rating after ‘significant improvement journey’

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Broadfield Community Primary School

A primary school in Rochdale has ‘undergone a significant improvement journey’ which has taken their Ofsted rating from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’.

Broadfield Community Primary School on Sparrow Hill has seen a curriculum overhaul as well as a substantial investment in facilities and teaching and learning, according to the school. Inspectors for the education watchdog visited the school in December and complimented how pupils “treat one another with kindness and respect” and “celebrate the diverse range of cultures and religions within the school”.

The report published at the end of February also highlights the strengthened programme to improve pupils’ reading knowledge – saying it is well embedded in the school’s curriculum, starting in the early years.

The school was rated as good in all subcategories of education quality; behaviour and attitudes; personal development; leadership and management; and early years provision.in the inspection.

The inspection report read: “Pupils at Broadfield Community Primary School enjoy their learning and want to do well. Staff place a sharp focus on raising pupils’ aspirations and encouraging them to value their education.

“The school has taken decisive action to improve the quality of education that pupils receive. Staff have increased their expectations of what pupils can and should achieve.

“Pupils, including children in the early years, benefit from a considerably strengthened curriculum. Most pupils learn and achieve well.

“A considerable proportion of pupils join the school part-way through the academic year. These pupils are welcomed warmly by the whole school community.”

Inspectors also praised how pupils who speak English as an additional language are given targeted support to speed up their reading development and provide opportunities for independent reading. However, the report did go on to highlight how teachers could do more to deepen pupils’ knowledge and that some of the older students have gaps in their knowledge, “due to weaknesses in the previous curriculum and because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

The acting chair of the governors at Broadfield, Richard Rigg, said: “We are delighted to receive a Good rating from Ofsted, which is testament to the school leadership and hard work of staff and children despite the impacts of the pandemic and its impact in recent years.”

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter