Hardwick Primary School in Bury St Edmunds has been lauded by a Government inspector as it retained its ‘good’ Ofsted status in Suffolk’s new two-tier education system.
This was the first inspection since most middle schools were removed from the local authority’s education system.
“It seemed a natural progression for children to go through and finish primary education in our school,” said headteacher Daryl Jones.
“What we’re doing is what we’ve always done and make sure we do good, high quality teaching and make sure the progress the children make is expected or better. I think that’s what the report highlights.”
The short inspection at Hardwick took place on March 9 and was the first inspection since the school was judged to be good in July 2013.
“The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education at the school since the last inspection,” said inspector Paul Tomkow.
“You have worked effectively with other school leaders to maintain a culture of high expectation alongside a caring and nurturing ethos.
“The school is characterised by the positive way in which pupils and staff engage with each other and with their learning.
“Pupils enjoy school and staff say that they are proud to work there.”
The school’s wide curriculum also came in for praise.
“He recognises we have a strong, balanced curriculum,” said Mr Jones.
“We’ve been through SOR (school organisation review) and this is the first Year 6 group we’ve been through.
“It was a seamless move. They went from Year 4 to Year 5 and Year 6.
“Obviously the school grew and we had to change the way we did things. We had three new classrooms built and needed new stuff and had to make sure we got the right staff for the new jobs, which we did.”
The school now has 294 pupils, around 50 more than when it was part of the three-tier system and it moved into the two-tier system in September 2015.
Chairman of the governors Bob Heavisides said the governors were “thrilled that with the drive of an excellent headteacher, supported by enthusiastic and caring staff; the school has kept its good status”.
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