Praise for “warm and welcoming” Calderdale school where pupils feel a “sense of belonging”

The comments were published in a recent Ofsted report following an inspection at Todmorden C of E Junior, Infant & Nursery School, which took place in October.

Four key areas of judgement — Achievement, Curriculum and Teaching, Inclusion, and Leadership and Governance — were graded as at Ofsted’s Expected Standard, and the remaining three areas — Attendance and Behaviour, Early years, and Personal Development and Wellbeing — were graded as being at Ofsted’s Strong Standard.

Safeguarding standards were also met.

Inspectors said that pupils enjoy attending the school, and that pupils’ behaviour is "consistently positive.”

The said that the early years are prioritised, and that leaders “ensure that every child has the best start to their educational journey.”

Inspectors praised the school’s approach to personal development and wellbeing, which involves a “highly effective” programme teaching safety around local waterways, flood safety, staying safe online, and healthy relationships.

Pupils also understand right and wrong, fundamental British values, and older children work towards achieving a qualification in British Sign Language, inspectors said.

Inspectors said children at the school "typically achieve well” and praised the “broad and balanced “ curriculum.

And when looking at the school’s approach to inclusion, inspectors said “all children feel a sense of belonging in school.”

Leaders were praised for their “high aspirations for all pupils.”

On what it is like to be a pupil at the school, inspectors said “pupils enjoy attending this warm and welcoming school.”

The report said the school’s next steps were for leaders to “continue their work to ensure that approaches to developing pupils' oracy are consistently applied across the curriculum,” to “ensure that they embed recent improvements in writing so that they are reflected in pupils' outcomes at the end of key stage,” and to “ensure that teaching enables pupils to consistently build and deepen their knowledge, allowing more pupils to achieve the highest standards across the curriculum.”

In response to the report, Co-Headteacher Alice Leadbitter said: “We are absolutely bursting with pride.

“This report is a wonderful celebration of our children, our dedicated staff team and the fantastic support of our families.

“To see the hard work, care and commitment of our whole school community recognised in this way is incredibly rewarding. “

Co-Headteacher Abi Welsh said: “We are particularly proud that our children enjoy coming to school, with one pupil describing each day as ‘usually just brilliant!’

“We will continue to build on these strengths, ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn, flourish and achieve as we continue to Soar High.”