A York school where classrooms are “calm and focused places to learn” has been handed a glowing report by Ofsted.
St Aelred’s Primary – part of the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust family of 38 schools throughout North Yorkshire and Teesside – was rated as good in all areas and good overall.
Inspectors said: “St Aelred’s is a welcoming school. Pupils are proud to attend. They know and understand the school values of friendship, courage and respect. Pupils demonstrate these values in their attitudes to learning and relationships with each other and with staff. “Pupils show maturity and confidence when talking about a range of issues. Equality and fairness are a key part of school life.
“School leadership roles such as school councillors and anti-bullying ambassadors are celebrated.
“Rapid progress is evident in the pace of change to strengthen the curriculum and improve behaviour in school. Classrooms are calm and focused places to learn. Pupils benefit from clear school rules. Their positive attitudes and hard work are rewarded in different ways.”
Delighted headteacher Claire Hughes, who took over at St Aelred’s last April, said a real team effort was the secret of the Fifth Avenue school’s success.
“It’s wonderful to celebrate this positive outcome, which recognises the many strengths of our school,” she said.
“The report is testament to the hard work and commitment of our dedicated staff team who go above and beyond in their daily roles to support the children at St Aelred’s.
“Partnership working and links with the community are a critical aspect of school life and this is far reaching, with involvement from stakeholders including governors, parents and carers and the parish, who are all committed to and invested in helping our children flourish and grow.
“We have worked hard to drive forward several key improvements this year, including changes to our curriculum, more extracurricular activities and a new behaviour strategy, and we are delighted to have this work positively recognised.”
Inspectors said school trips help pupils learn beyond the classroom and praised after-school activities such as dance and art clubs.
They added: “Stakeholders, such as governors, trustees and trust leaders, are proactive in holding leaders to account. They have the same high expectations as leaders.
“The school has high expectations for pupils’ behaviour and positive attitudes to learning. Pupils know and understand the clear and effective school rules. Pupils can see how recent changes to behaviour have improved the school. Children in early years are well supported to work in familiar routines and structures. They play and learn together well.
“The school has a rigorous and well-planned curriculum for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils benefit from teaching that helps them to build the small steps of knowledge that they need to be successful.”
Mrs Hughes thanked her dedicated team, including teachers, support staff and leaders who had worked so hard to secure this outcome.
She said: “They bring such dedication and commitment to our children through their various roles in school and their work within the wider community.
“The school has also benefited significantly from the support of NPCAT in moving forward key aspects of school improvement this year, and leaders and governors are extremely grateful for the support that has been afforded to the school through this partnership.
“We look forward to building on the many strengths identified within the report in our next stages of school improvement at St Aelred’s.”
CEO of NPCAT Hugh Hegarty said: “Mrs Hughes has had a significant impact since her appointment in April and the capacity of the trust to support leaders and staff at all levels has also been hugely important.
“The support from St Aelred’s governors has been and continues to be so highly valued by both the trust and the school.
“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with St Aelred’s and to the impact of NPCAT reaping benefits for all the school’s pupils in the years ahead.”