Praise for staff and pupils: Good Ofsted rating for Lord Street Primary School after joining The Pennine Trust

Staff, pupils and parents are celebrating after Lord Street Primary School in Colne gained an overall ‘Good’ rating in its first Ofsted inspection after joining The Pennine Trust.

Inspectors spent two days at the school in January and gave the rating to all five key areas of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.

Ambitious curriculums

They found pupils to be happy, polite and respectful and praised many other elements of teaching and learning. Subject curriculums were described as “ambitious and carefully ordered to prepare pupils well for the next stage of learning”.

The visitors were particularly impressed that Mandarin had been introduced for key stage 2 pupils and highlighted the strong subject knowledge of teachers.

The curriculum was described as being well designed and thought out for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.

Inspectors found that appropriate systems were in place to identify pupils’ additional needs quickly and accurately, which supported them to achieve well. Their report stated that leaders had high expectations for all pupils, including those with special education needs and/or disabilities.

Pride in leadership roles

Encouraging children to take on responsibilities such as becoming mental health champions and school councillors was singled out for praise and it was noted that they wore their leadership badges with pride.

The pivotal role played by The Pennine Trust was also highlighted, with inspectors commending the training that staff received in order to develop professionally.

Commitment to excellence

Headteacher Hayley Walsh said: “I’m so proud of this result and cannot thank the pupil, parent and staff community enough for supporting me in making necessary changes to the school since my appointment in 2021.

“Our pupils are an asset to the school and I was delighted to see that the inspectorate highlighted that they enjoy coming to school and look forward to their day ahead.”

Her comments were echoed by Chief Executive Officer of The Pennine Trust John Tarbox, who congratulated Mrs Walsh and her team and said the report reflected the commitment to deliver excellence by everyone at the school and the trust.

He said: “The school is on an upward trajectory and it is an exciting time to be involved with Lord Street. We expect continued improvement in provision, opportunities and facilities and a school that is rooted in its community.”

Local MP Andrew Stephenson said: “Hayley Walsh and her team at Lord Street Primary should take great pride in this Ofsted result, which will be great news for pupils and parents too.

“There’s so much to welcome in the Ofsted report, from a strong academic curriculum to supporting pupils with special educational needs or disabilities. This is all underpinned by an ambitious approach towards what pupils can learn and go on to achieve.

I would also like to pay particular tribute to the Pennine Trust for all that they are doing to support teachers in driving up the quality of education available here in Pendle, including at Lord Street Primary.”

For enquiries, more information or to arrange a tour, see www.lordstreetprimary.com