Shawclough Primary achieves top Ofsted grade

Headteacher Julia Sandiford-Mitchell with pupils from Shawclough Community Primary School

Staff and pupils at Shawclough Community Primary are delighted following an announcement by Ofsted that their school has been rated as ‘Outstanding’ following a recent inspection.

The announcement this week puts Shawclough Primary in the top 6 per cent of schools in the country, and one of even fewer who have achieved this rating under the new, more rigorous inspection regime.

Ofsted praised the curriculum, which makes an outstanding contribution to pupils’ personal and academic development and provided pupils with an exciting range of activities which enhance their basic skills and raise their aspirations.

Headteacher Julia Sandiford-Mitchell said: “We have worked hard as a strong team to give our children an appropriate curriculum which children enjoy.”

“Every one of our teachers’ lessons were at least ‘good’ with much outstanding practice throughout the school and our results in English, maths and science are well above the National Average this year.”

Ofsted also recognised the strong contribution from governors and parents and praised the pupils, who it said “love their school” and whose behaviour in lessons and at break and lunchtime is excellent.

Care, guidance and support are of the highest order at the school and all staff, including the talented and committed team of teaching assistants, have the personal, social and emotional well-being of each individual pupil foremost in their minds.

Young children coming into school thrive and make excellent progress across both nursery and reception as a result of the high quality teaching and exceptional nurturing.

Ms Sandiford-Mitchell added: “We are a school that is proud to take children and educate them and support them in the best way we can. We are trying to be the best school we can be for your children and we want them to all have, not only academic achievement, but the best memories of childhood.”

Councillor Teresa Fitzsimons, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said: “This is an excellent achievement. Everyone at the school should be really proud of providing an environment where our young pupils can happily achieve such a high standard of work. Well done to students and staff for their hard work and commitment.”