Inspectors Praise ‘Remarkable’ Northgate Primary School
By Schools Correspondent
Northgate Primary School has received glowing praise from inspectors in its latest Ofsted report.
Children love being at the school, staff feel lucky to work there, parents are grateful, and leaders are “passionate and proud”, the watchdog said.
“Respect is at the heart of this school,” the report noted. “Pupils of all ages show a deep desire to learn. This means that across the school there is a calm and purposeful learning environment where pupils learn without disruption."
“Pupils act with integrity and kindness because they learn that it is the right thing to do. Behaviour across the school is remarkable.”
The two Ofsted inspectors who visited in June gave Northgate ratings of Strong for its early years provision and for pupils’ personal development and wellbeing.
In the other five categories of achievement, attendance and behaviour, curriculum and teaching, inclusion and leadership and governance the school was graded as Expected standard.
Safeguarding standards were also met.
The inspectors said “positive and highly effective relationships” formed with parents helped give children in nursery and reception the strong foundations they needed to succeed in their education."
"Oracy, speech, language and communication are at the very front and centre of the rich and developmental curriculum,” the report said.
The personal development programme was highlighted for enriching pupils’ experiences significantly, forming the bedrock to the school’s vision to ‘open pupils’ minds and broaden their horizons’.
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“Leaders are passionate and proud. They are determined to provide a high-quality education that inspires every pupil at Northgate Primary School,” the report noted.
Leaders were said to fully understand the families and community the 261-pupil school serves and to be committed to promoting an inclusive culture.
“Parents and carers are unwavering in their support for the school. Many are grateful for the fully inclusive ethos and availability of the kind and caring staff"
Staff feel 'lucky' to work at the school and to be part of its community.
Ofsted praised Northgate Primary School for its inclusive culture, highlighting pupils’ respect for different cultures and faiths and their understanding of equality and protected characteristics. Inspectors also praised the school’s academic success, particularly the performance of disadvantaged pupils and those attending the ‘Adventurers’ Base’.
Headteacher Katie Penny said she was “extremely proud” of pupils and staff, adding that the report recognised the school’s “caring, inclusive and aspirational culture” and its commitment to ensuring every child feels “safe, valued and supported”.
Gary Schlick, CEO of Futura Learning Partnership, said pupils had demonstrated that they meet the high expectations of the school and trust, adding that they were determined to maintain these standards for the wider community.
