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Ofsted report: School beats its problems
A SMALL school is warm and welcoming despite difficult circumstances.
New Road Primary, Sowerby Bridge, has declining pupil numbers overall and increasing numbers of children with learning or behavioural difficulties.
Inspectors said the Foundation stage was good and there was outstanding pastoral care.
Two years ago refurbishment work and the building of a children's centre caused disruption to classes meaning pupils had to be taught in the pews of St Paul's Church, Tower Hill.
Despite this, Ofsted inspectors found that the school is satisfactory and improving, with pupils enjoying a wide ranging curriculum and activities including a ukelele band and ballroom dancing.
Inspector Ronald Cohen said: "The school is warm and welcoming and the provision of an exciting range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities enhances pupils' learning."
Attendance and behaviour are satisfactory and pupils were praised for their contribution to the community and enthusiastic response to responsibility.
To improve further the school needs to raise standards at Key Stage 1 and in writing at Key Stage 2, and ensure that pupils of higher ability attain higher levels in national tests.
The quality of teaching also needs to improve and all areas of the curriculum must be monitored.
Head teacher Charles Rowland said: "Governors and staff at New Road are pleased with the outcome of our recent Ofsted report.
"Standards in the Foundation stage are good but we need to capitalise on this solid start and raise standards further in Key Stage 1 so that children have less ground to make up.
"We also need to improve the quality of writing throughout the school. Measures are already in place to ensure that these improvements take place."
Read the full Ofsted report
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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