A Cumbrian primary school is celebrating after it was given a good report by the education watchdog.
Castle Carrock Primary School in Brampton had previously been told it required improvement, but following a visit by Ofsted inspectors earlier this year, it has now been rated as a good school.
The school joined Cumbria Education Trust in 2022 and underwent an extensive refurbishment project during the summer last year.
The school also gained a new leadership team with Jemma Nicholson as interim executive headteacher and Anna Carroll as head of school, who have worked with the other members of the team to drive improvements and make a positive change to the school.
These changes, along with creating strong links to other schools in the trust, such as calling on William Howard School for specialist lessons such as PE and languages, has factored into receiving the good report, the trust said. .
Inspectors rate the school in five categories and they awarded the following after their visit:
- Behaviour and attitudes – Outstanding
- Early years provision – Outstanding
- Personal development – Outstanding
- Leadership and management – Good
- Quality of education – Good
Overall, Castle Carrock Primary School was officially rated as good.
Inspectors said: “There is a buzz of excitement for learning around the school. Pupils achieve well. Pupils have exceptionally high standards of behaviour.”
They added that teachers were skilled in delivering the curriculum in mixed-age classes, but added that the school needed to improve in one or two subjects where, they said, leaders had not given sufficient thought to the mixed-age classes in their curriculum design. They added: “This hinders how well some pupils achieve.”
However, they said overall: “Leaders have strengthened many aspects of the curriculum. In most subjects, subject leaders have identified what pupils need to learn and how this learning should build across the year groups.”
Mrs Carroll said: “I am delighted with this result and I am incredibly grateful for the dedication of our staff, parents, children and our community over the last year and during our inspection.
“We are paving the way for excellence in our small school community and will continue to strive to be the very best we can be.”
Lorrayne Hughes, chief executive of Cumbria Education Trust, said: “I am delighted with these much-deserved results, and they show how the school is making excellent progress, whilst providing an enriching and safe environment for our pupils and staff.”
