A SCHOOL that staff are ‘proud’ to work at, where pupils have ‘excellent’ attitudes to learning has been told it is on its way to an outstanding Ofsted rating.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Whitecross received a non-graded inspection back in December that had the education regulators singing their praises.

But the kind words of the inspector were not the only reason to celebrate, as the school found they landed in the minority of 4% of schools that received an ungraded inspection with a result that ‘showed signs of improvements and better than good practice’.

Statistics from the DofE showed that out of 2,726 ungraded inspections carried out in 2021 / 2022, 77% of schools remained good, 18% showed concerns and only 4% reflected positive improvements.

The official report read: “Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school. There is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a graded (section 5) inspection now.

“The school's next inspection will be a graded inspection.’

It continued: “Pupils love coming to this school.

“From the reception class to year six, pupils enjoy learning because leaders have thought carefully about how to make their learning relevant and engaging.”

Pupils were said to have showed ‘exemplary’ behaviour and attitudes towards peers is both ‘kind’ and ‘caring’.

The setting was praised for its excellent support for pupils who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

“Leaders identify pupils’ needs quickly and accurately.

“Teachers and teaching assistants understand pupils’ needs and how to meet them. Pupils and parents are fully involved in planning additional support.”

The report also highlighted the school’s important focus on reading and ensuring pupils enjoy reading from an early age.

As well as commending the staff their ‘strong culture of safeguarding’.

“The school has a strong culture of safeguarding and care for pupils. Staff know that keeping pupils safe is their top priority. Leaders ensure that staff are trained thoroughly.

“Consequently, staff are alert to the signs that pupils might need extra support. They pass concerns to leaders, who are tenacious in making sure that pupils get the support they need.

“Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe as part of the PSHE curriculum. They learn about healthy relationships and how to keep themselves safe online. Parents are full of praise for the care and support that staff provide for pupils and families.”

The school were also delighted by the fact that no where in the report did it state improvements that could be made by the setting to achieve a greater review.

School head, Colleen Everett said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ with the outcome.

She said: "We are particularly pleased that the inspector recognised that the needs of our children always come first.

“The children were an absolute credit to Sacred Heart and their families and, furthermore, it was reported that they came across as confident, mature and articulate young people.

“We could not agree more.

‘’Although we were not given any areas for improvement within the report, we will continue to work in the same way as we constantly strive to provide all of our children with a memorable and purposeful school experience.

“We will receive a further inspection in two years and look forward to once again being provided with the opportunity to demonstrate the outstanding practice within Sacred Heart.’’

"This was the best possible outcome for our whole school community and, as head teacher, I really could not be any prouder.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Sacred Heart develop and grow over the past 13 years.’’