Children at St Mary’s and St Peter’s Catholic Primary School are getting a good education according to Ofsted. The school in Leeds Road was judged to be good across the board, after it was previously deemed to require improvement at its inspection in 2014.
In a glowing report, inspectors found that the ‘strong leadership of the headteacher has brought about a marked improvement in teaching and outcomes’, and ‘teaching is consistently good across the school’.
“Teachers have high expectations, and they give pupils work which matches their needs.”
The way that teachers question pupils is a real strength throughout the school. They ask questions that probe to check pupils’ understanding and to give pupils opportunities to share their ideas and to explain their thinking. As a result the children learn to speak confidently whilst developing their English speaking skills.
The report also states that: “This year, pupils in all year groups and key stages, including the disadvantaged, have made securely good progress. Mathematics is improving under the guidance of the mathematics project leader. The introduction of a new maths scheme at the beginning of the school year is ensuring that pupils of all abilities are learning to solve increasingly tricky mathematical problems.”
Julie Holland, Headteacher at the school, said: “We are delighted with this report as it is clear that Ofsted sees the school as we do. Pupils, staff, parents, governors and the wider community have all worked extremely hard to bring about this positive achievement.
“We are particularly pleased that the inspectors recognised that since we made changes in our approaches to teaching, progress has accelerated, so the progress of almost all pupils currently in the school, throughout the age range, is solidly good.
“Senior leaders within the school have all worked collaboratively to ensure these improvements have been made through checking on the quality of teaching, through checking children’s work books and lesson observations.”
Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: “This is a great result for St Mary’s and St Peter’s. This is further testament of improvements being made with another of our schools being judged as Good by Ofsted. Congratulations go to everyone who has contributed to this positive outcome.”
Other areas judged to be good include the appointment of the current Headteacher which has given the school a new lease of life.
The impact of her relentless work on teaching, learning and assessment is clear. Governance has improved since the last inspection and pupils have a good understanding of different faiths and cultures and demonstrate respect for others.
