'Outstanding' Ofsted report for St Stephen's School, Skipton (From Craven Herald)

'Outstanding' Ofsted report for St Stephen's School, Skipton

9:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News

St Stephen’s Catholic Primary School in Skipton has been given top marks by Ofsted inspectors.

The Gargrave Road school, which has 235 pupils on its roll, underwent a two-day inspection in July and has been classed as “outstanding”, putting it among the top nine per cent of schools in the country.

“It successfully embraces all learners and celebrates the rich diversity of its community,” said lead inspector Katharine Halifax.

Achievement was deemed outstanding, with pupils in all age groups making remarkable progress both academically and in skills such as communication and sport.

“Pupils relish all the school has to offer,” said the inspection report.

The inspectors also gave an outstanding rating to pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, teaching, and leadership and management.

And the report added: “The curriculum has improved considerably since the last inspection and is now outstanding. The development of a topic-based approach, with imaginative themes, has inspired and engaged pupils.

“It is visionary, passionate leadership that is at the heart of this thriving school. Leaders have high aspirations for pupils, their families and staff.”

The inspectors suggested one action point - to ensure boys in key stage two wrote to the best of their ability.

Headteacher Peter Thompson said: “As a school we all work hard to ensure that the pupils are the centre of our focus and it is very rewarding to have this recognised by the Ofsted inspectors. Pupils, staff, parents, governors and members of our parish will continue to work together to keep this standard of achievement and will, of course, work to improve all that we do.”