Hollin School rated outstanding after major improvement

Elaine Hibbert and pupils from Hollin Primary School in Middleton celebrate their outstanding Ofsted report

Hollin Primary School in Middleton has been rated as outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, just two years after coming out of special measures.

The dramatic turnaround has seen the school achieve the highest rating in achievement of pupils; quality of teaching; behaviour and safety of pupils and leadership and management.

For head teacher Elaine Hibbert the transformation is especially satisfying as she is a former Hollin pupil. Elaine, who has a successful track record of helping to turn round failing schools, took up her position in 2009 – a year after it had been placed in special measures.

She said: “Our outstanding Ofsted report is the result of much hard work by staff and pupils and we must not underestimate the support that our parents have given, they have played their part in our journey to the top.

“As a former pupil I was determined that the school should be at the centre of the community and we’ve made great strides in this direction.

“For example we offer demonstration lessons in mathematics, reading and writing which help our parents feel more confident and better able to support their children’s learning. We take every opportunity to support our local community.’’

”We are all proud of what has been achieved but determined to use this as a platform to enable Hollin Primary School to go on to even greater success in the future.”

Comments made by the Ofsted inspectors included: High expectations, excellent levels of care, support and guidance and realistic challenge in the classroom for all groups leads to pupils in all key stages making exceptional progress in both their personal and academic development.

From exceptionally low skills for their age on entry to the Early Years Foundation Stage, pupils achieve outstandingly well in all areas of the school and reach well above-average attainment in both English and mathematics by the end of Year 6.

Over time, the quality of teaching is outstanding and is characterised by accurate assessment of pupils’ progress, comprehensive lesson preparation and an overriding emphasis on raising standards.

Pupils show an immense pride in their school, in their classmates and in the adults who work with them.

Outstanding leadership of teaching and management of performance at all levels ensure that the school plays a seminal role in promoting pupils’ self-esteem, in supporting their families and in raising the aspirations of the local community.

Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “For Hollin Primary School to go from special measures to being rated as outstanding in so short a space of time is a fantastic achievement.

“There is so much wonderful work going on in schools and colleges across the borough that it gives me great confidence for what our young people can achieve in the years to come.”