The North East has excellent primary and secondary schools, with the vast majority performing well and receiving ‘good’ ratings.
But with just one ‘outstanding’ so far this year, and a handful of ‘inadequates’ and ‘requires improvements,’ many schools will be returning to their Ofsted reports to see how they can improve.
Here’s what Ofsted had to say about Tyneside this year so far.
1. Newburn Manor Primary School (Newburn)- Good
Ofsted’s report said: “Newburn Manor Primary School is a happy, caring and supportive place to be. Pupils value the strong relationships that they have with staff. Pupils enjoy coming to school and attend regularly. Parents speak highly of the school. They describe the school as being a place where their children can thrive and flourish. Leaders and staff are ambitious for all pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff provide a wide range of rich experiences for pupils. They benefit from many educational visits, clubs and residentials. For example, pupils enjoy taking part in the forest school activities including hill walking, rope adventure and creating dens for animals."
2. St Aloysius Catholic Junior School Academy (Hebburn)- Outstanding
The ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report said: “Pupils at St Aloysius Junior School Academy are exceptionally proud to attend this school. The quality of the curriculum and education pupils receive is exceptional. Relationships between pupils and teachers are caring and respectful. Pupils respect and value one another. The Christian ethos is woven into the daily life of the school. In lessons, pupils consistently work hard and take pride in their work. The behaviour of pupils is exemplary and their attitudes to learning are overwhelmingly positive. Bullying is rare and staff know how to keep pupils safe. Leaders have planned a highly ambitious and broad curriculum for all pupils. Staff at all levels understand this ambition and support pupils to achieve this. As a result, pupils have a vast range of deep and connected knowledge. Pupils are passionate about their learning and eager to share their achievements. Pupils reflect on their own learning and progress in extremely insightful ways."
3. Keser Girls School (Gateshead)- Requires Improvement
The January Report said: “Although pupils experience a wide range of curriculum subjects, some subjects are more established than others. In English and mathematics, the work staff set builds carefully upon pupils’ previous knowledge. However, in all other curriculum areas, the quality of the curriculum varies from subject to subject. Some curriculum subjects, such as science, are under review. Pupils learn art in a specified ‘art week’ which occurs three times a year. This means that they do not get a chance to revisit learning regularly to build upon their knowledge. Pupils in key stage 1 experience technology and computing in the form of programmable electronic robots. However, those in key stage 2 do not experience such learning. The sequencing and progression of identified knowledge in the foundation curriculum subjects are not consistent. Leaders recognise that they have more to do to improve the quality of the wider curriculum."
4. Furrowfield School (Felling)- Good
The January report said: “After a period of significant change, leaders have taken effective action to ensure that pupils benefit from a good quality of education. Leaders and a re-energised staff team are working together to ensure that pupils can succeed. Ambition is high for all pupils. Leaders have improved the school’s curriculum to meet the needs of pupils. They have made sure that the curriculum is broad but still responsive to pupils’ social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Staff help pupils to work towards their individual targets. Pupils benefit from effective learning that prepares them for their next steps in education and future life. Leaders make sure that pupils have regular opportunities to learn about life in modern Britain. Pupils learn how to stay safe and healthy. They receive effective support to help them to develop healthy lifestyles and to maintain positive mental health."