A HEADTEACHER has told of his disappointment at the prospect of his middle school closing after it received an “outstanding” Ofsted report. Stoke-by-Nayland Middle School was graded good overall and achieved five individual outstanding features in seven categories.

Lizzie Parry

A HEADTEACHER has told of his disappointment at the prospect of his middle school closing after it received an “outstanding” Ofsted report.

Stoke-by-Nayland Middle School was graded good overall and achieved five individual outstanding features in seven categories.

The report, published on Friday revealed inspectors had noted an outstanding rating for care, guidance and support, personal development and wellbeing, curriculum, leadership and management and capacity to improve.

Headteacher David Livingstone spoke of his delight at the report but said it was shame the school could still be closed under new plans being discussed by Suffolk County Council.

“We are delighted with the news,” he said. “It is obviously such a shame given we are facing closure.

“We think we provide an excellent education and excellent care to our pupils which we feel would be lost if we were forced to close.”

The county council is proposing to abolish the county's 40 middle schools and introduce a two tier system across the whole of Suffolk, which would result in the closure of Stoke-by-Nayland Middle School - part of the third phase of consultation - in 2013.

Mr Livingstone said discussions were continuing to determine the future of education for the pupils at the school.

“At the moment we can't say where our pupils would have to move to, we are waiting for the next round of consultation to address that issue.

“There is a lot of uncertainty in the air at the moment, it is not ideal for staff or the children.

“The work we do has been endorsed by Ofsted and so it is a real shame that closure is hanging over our heads.

“The key thing for us is it is recognition of all the hard work staff and pupils put in.”