Village school which was told to improve receives '˜good' Ofsted

A village primary school which was found to require improvement is on track to become first class.

Whalley Primary School has been rated good after a recent inspection by the Government’s education watchdog, with Ofsted inspectors praising the “determination and commitment” of headteacher, Mr Richard Blackburn.

Two years ago, the Church Lane school was rated as requiring improvement. Now, following a full inspection, the effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning and assessment, personal development, behaviour and welfare, outcomes for pupils and early years provision have been graded good.

Inspectors said: “Leaders know the school well. They have brought about rapid improvements since the last inspection. Governors are ambitious for the school and are committed to continued improvement. Teachers have good subject knowledge which they use to develop pupils’ learning.”

The officers gave top marks for pupil’s achievements. The report added: “Pupils in the school achieve well, particularly in reading, writing and mathematics.”

Commending headteacher Mr Blackburn, officers said: “The headteacher has worked effectively with a relatively inexperienced, but skilled senior leadership team to make improvements.

“On appointment, he quickly identified the barriers to improvement and took some difficult decisions in the interests of the school and its pupils, who he knows well.”

Delighted with the Ofsted grade, Mr David Borland, chairman of the school’s governing body, commented: “Such an independent judgement acknowledges the hard work and steely resolve by all the staff and governors who have collectively raised standards.

“I also wish to pay tribute to the tremendous support from our loyal parents who have stayed with us and to the response from our pupils particularly since the last Ofsted inspection. I am immensely grateful to the governors and the school leadership for their response to a low point in the history of the school.”