A headteacher has shared her joy after a primary school dramatically improved after previously receiving ‘requires improvement’ in their Ofsted report.

Following an inspection by  Ofsted in January of this year, St Stephen and All

Martyrs’ CofE School, Bolton, has found to be good with outstanding features.

This comes after previously receiving a rating of ‘requires improvement’ in May 2019.

The report states that pupils “feel valued at this school regardless of their differences”, and that they “appreciate the importance of treating everyone with respect and care”.

It said: “Pupils benefit from the positive relationships that they enjoy with each other and with staff. Pupils told inspectors that they trust staff to help them if they have any concerns.

“Leaders and staff are ambitious for all pupils to be successful academically and personally.

“They understand that making mistakes is part of learning.”

Headteacher Rebecca Unsworth says that the school has been on a “journey of improvement” not to “satisfy Ofsted” but to “do what is right” for the children.

She says that herself along with the rest of the staff are ‘delighted’, describing the school as a “very special place.

Miss Unsworth said: “Since I became headteacher here, we have been on a journey of improvement, not in an attempt to satisfy Ofsted – but to do what is right for our children – that journey continues.

“However, we are delighted that Ofsted have recognised that we are a ‘good school’.

“Our children are utterly delightful, and they deserve the very best.

“Our staff, parents and governors work together to ensure that this is achieved.

“I am extremely proud to be part of a committed and passionate team of professionals, who work tirelessly to make a difference to the lives of our children.

“St Stephen and All Martyrs’ is a very special place where each one of us carry out our motto, ‘Achieve, Believe, Care ‘on a daily basis.

“It is a happy place, and every child is respected and treated as an individual here.

“Their personal development is hugely important to us.

“Ofsted recognised this too and judged our provision to be ‘outstanding’ in this area.

“I am thrilled for our whole school community that our school is carrying the judgement it deserves.”

The report also says that leaders ensure that teachers benefit from “appropriate, ongoing training”, which helps develop their subject knowledge, so they are well equipped to teach across different subjects.

 

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