The new head of a Brighton primary school previously requiring improvement has turned it round with inspectors now rating it as good.
St Bartholomew’s Primary School in Ann Street was found to be requiring improvement in all areas following an Ofsted visit in September 2016.
But a report published yesterday says the new head, Katie Blood, has united the staff and it’s rated as good in all but one area, with an overall good rating.
Ms Blood said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection and are thrilled that we are now a Good school.
“Staff and governors have worked hard to make and sustain improvements and will continue to do so.
“We are particularly pleased with all the positive comments about pupils behaviour and the academic progress children make at St Bartholomew’s.”
The report says: “Since starting at the school in 2017, the headteacher has shown strong, inspiring leadership. Together with the deputy headteacher, she has united the staff team in a drive to provide the best possible education for the pupils at the school.
“As a result of leaders’ decisive actions, the teaching of mathematics has improved greatly and is now a strength of the school. As a result of improvements in teaching, learning and assessment, outcomes for pupils have increased, especially in key stage 1, and across the school in mathematics.
“Pupils make good progress. The progress of disadvantaged pupils and pupils who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities is similar to that of their peers.
“Senior leaders have spared no effort in improving behaviour in the school … Pupils behave well and enjoy positive attitudes to learning.
“Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school and the way that staff enable pupils to enjoy learning and stay safe. One parent said, ‘My child literally skips to school and doesn’t want to miss a day.’”
The report highlighted low attendance as an area needing work, which led to a requiring improvement rating for personal development and behaviour and welfare.
It also said that the teaching of phonics is inconsistent in key stage 1.
Fantastic report and improvement. Well done Ms Blood and team.