Ofsted: Pupils get along at mixed school

Helen Halliwell

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A "HARMONIOUS" Oldham primary school is celebrating a glowing Ofsted report.

St Patrick's in Lee Street has been rated as good (grade two) in every area, up from requires improvement (grade three) overall at its previous inspection in June 2014.

Almost all pupils at the Catholic primary are from ethnic minorities and most speak English as an additional language.

But inspectors from the education watchdog who visited recently say in their report that children respect and celebrate each other's differences.

They add: "In this harmonious and culturally diverse school, the head teacher, senior leaders, governors and the diocese have worked tirelessly to address the areas for improvement that were identified at the previous inspection.

"As a result, outcomes for pupils and the quality of teaching are now good."

Pupils' attainment has improved year on year in all subjects and was the best it had been for at least five years in 2015.

Progress

All groups of pupils make good and often outstanding progress, with a much higher than average proportion of disadvantaged pupils making more progress than expected in reading, writing and maths.

Teaching is also good, with phonics (letters and the sounds they make) taught exceptionally well.

Other areas praised include pupils' progress in reception which has "passionate and caring" staff, pupils' behaviour, excellent relationships with parents, work to promote British values and pupils' spiritual, moral and cultural development.

Head teacher Helen Halliwell said: "We are absolutely delighted with the overall judgment.

"We have worked extremely hard over the last two years to address the areas for improvement that were identified in the last inspection.

"There are so many positive aspects to this report.

"As the report confirms, all members of the school community have played their part in our success but I would particularly like to highlight the skill, determination and resilience of the staff and the excellent behaviour and positive attitudes of our children.

"We are determined to build on our success."