Howzat! A Middlesbrough school where pupils excel at cricket has hit the sweet spot with a striking Ofsted report that judged it to be good overall and outstanding in two fields.

Inspectors said St Alphonsus’ Catholic Primary School in North Ormesby is outstanding in the areas of Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development.

Ofsted said leaders work tirelessly to support families, as well as the pupils, through initiatives including an eco-shop opened during the financial crisis and engaging with a local charity that purchases sportswear for every pupil.

“Pupils at St Alphonsus’ are exceptionally polite, kind and caring,” the report states. “This is a very inclusive school. Pupils are tolerant and accepting of others. They enjoy coming to school and attend well. Pupils are very proud of their school. They are keen to show visitors the work they do and the trophies they have won.

“The school has very high expectations for all pupils. Staff help pupils to be successful in later life.

“Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Pupils have impeccable manners. The school is calm. There are warm relationships and high levels of respect between pupils and adults.

“Leaders are determined that pupils will leave St Alphonsus equipped for life in the world. The school welcomes the support offered by the wider trust network.

“Governors have different experiences and skills. They use these to support the school effectively.

“Staff are proud to work in this school and feel valued. Parents appreciate the support the school offers them.”

Headteacher Angela McCann said the glowing report is testament to all the hard work of pupils, staff and governors.

“Our mission of ‘Learning, serving, loving with Christ’, is at the centre of everything we do,” she said. “Our high expectations, relationships and learning are rooted in the teachings of Christ, and we encourage children to be the very best that they can be by learning with each other, serving each other and loving each other.

“In partnership with home, school, parish and community, we are dedicated to working together to develop children who achieve spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.

“We encourage our pupils to try new things, to be creative, resilient and to constantly strive to improve. 

“The school is often described as a ‘safe haven’ or an ‘oasis’ where we nurture and care for our pupils, with staff regularly going that extra mile, and we value the trust families place in us.”

St Alphonsus’ pupils swept the board in competitions run by Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT), winning all four NPCAT Sport cricket competitions for year 3/4 boys and year 5/6 boys’ and girls’ teams.

All went on to represent the trust at the North Yorkshire Cricket finals, where two of the teams won silver medals as runners-up.

Both year 5/6 teams then represented both NPCAT Sport and North Yorkshire Cricket at the Yorkshire finals in Leeds, with the girls’ team coming third in a competition that involved around 800 schools.

Cricket at St Alphonsus’ isn’t just for the summer months, the bats and stumps are set up all year round.

Every break time and lunchtime the children make for the wicket as soon as they go out onto the yard, with even reception children joining in the fun! 

“Two of our teaching assistants in particular give up their lunch and break times to help coach the children ready for competitions,” said Angela. “We also have some sports leaders who are now coaching younger children in sport.”

St Alphonsus’, which is on Cadogan Street, has 244 pupils aged from three to 11, including a nursery.

CEO Hugh Hegarty said: “A huge congratulations to the pupils and staff of St Alphonsus’ who continue to demonstrate our trust’s values.”

All 32 NPCAT primary schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.