St Margaret’s praised in Ofsted report

Pupils at St Margaret’s Primary School celebrate the Ofsted report

St Margaret’s Primary School in Heywood has been praised by Ofsted inspectors for making significant progress after being given a notice to improve last year.

A report in January 2011 had judged the school inadequate and called for improvements in terms of pupils’ attainment and achievement.

When Ofsted returned this March, however, it graded the school as “satisfactory” and acknowledged the impressive advances that had been made.

Comments in the recent report included: “This satisfactory school is improving quickly because of strong leadership and a shared determination to succeed.”

“Pupils’ courteous and respectful behaviour makes a positive contribution to their safety and learning.”

“Previous underachievement is being firmly eradicated so that pupils are achieving as well as other pupils nationally.”

“Teaching has improved considerably since the school was previously inspected. Consequently, much of it is now good and some of it is exceptional.”

Laura Heslin, Chairwoman of Governors at St Margaret’s Church of England School, said:

“I and the governing body are extremely pleased with our recent Ofsted result and collectively feel that St Margaret’s is in a positive place. Everyone at the school is determined to build on this success and bring about further improvements.

“I would like to thank all staff for their dedication and commitment to our school, our extremely supportive parents and our exceptional children who make St Margaret’s the truly remarkable place it is.”

Cheryl Eastwood, Executive Director for Children’s Services at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted that the hard work of everyone at St Margaret’s has been recognised with this encouraging report.

“Given the commitment of both staff and pupils at the schools I am confident that it will continue to go from strength to strength.”