A HEREFORDSHIRE school says it is extremely proud and thrilled to be rated good by Ofsted – eight years after it was nearly closed down.
The school inspectorate visited Michaelchurch Escley Primary School, in the Golden Valley, and leaders said the previous good judgment was against a different inspection framework and is now "much more rigorous".
The inspectors praised the depth and breadth of the new curriculum, the teaching of early reading and phonics and maths.
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Headteacher Louise Crocker said Michaelchurch Escley Primary and Pre-School had come a long way since it was nearly closed in 2014.
She said pupil numbers had risen dramatically and the wonderful staff team had worked amazingly hard over the years to create a unique and caring school that makes the most of its incredible location.
She also said the Ofsted inspectors, who visited in December and published their report this month (January), felt that the school’s mission of having a "happy childhood at its core" was well and truly met.
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"At Michaelchurch we not only focus on academic success but also on building children’s confidence and resilience and on providing opportunities and experiences which might not be otherwise available to the children," she said, adding the school was extremely proud and thrilled.
Pupils from Michaelchurch Escley Primary School, Golden Valley, braved sub-zero temperatures to perform their traditional walking nativity through the village.
"For example, our annual Walking Nativity takes the audience on a journey through our village to finish in a barn, with a real donkey to carry Mary.
"The children, from pre-school to year six, also get to participate in Forest School for half a day, every week, throughout the year.
"They also have opportunities to take part in an excellent range of after school clubs and can join in adventures such as the annual mountain bike ride from school to Hay-on-Wye and when they get to key stage two, they will get to perform in our summer outdoor theatre production at Michaelchurch Court – this year we are performing Matilda the Musical.
"It is impossible to put into words how grateful we are to our wonderful children, staff and families, as this success was truly a team effort."
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After the inspection, the first since it was rated good in 2016, inspectors did say revisions to the curriculum in some subjects had been introduced more recently than others.
As a result, they had not been as securely embedded as other subjects in taking account of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The pair said leaders should ensure that the curriculum was implemented effectively in all subjects to take account of the needs of all pupils.
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