Ofsted praises school in Scarborough with 'good' rating for improving curriculum

Inspectors visited Gladstone Road Primary School back in July

Author: Karen LiuPublished 27th Sep 2023

Staff and pupils at a school in Scarborough are “absolutely thrilled” after being praised by Ofsted for developing and reviewing an ambitious curriculum which has resulted in a good rating.

Inspectors visited Gladstone Road Primary School and were impressed with the improved curriculum and positive behaviour of pupils since a previous inspection in December 2021 when it was judged as ‘requiring improvement’.

The most recent inspection carried out in July highlighted the school’s good work, describing staff at the 744-pupil establishment as “knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects”.

Ofsted inspectors added: “Leaders have worked hard to improve the curriculum across the school since its last inspection. They have high expectations of what pupils can achieve.

“Behaviour at the school is positive with pupils and adults consistently displaying high levels of respect for one another. Leaders at all levels have a clear view of the strengths of the school and those areas that require further work.”

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “We are delighted that yet another school in North Yorkshire has seen great improvements.

“This is great news for our education leaders, school staff, pupils and parents who have all been working hard to enhance the education there.”

The authority’s assistant director of education and skills, Amanda Newbold, added: “The Ofsted result of Gladstone Road Primary demonstrates the great progress made by partnership working there and the commitment we all have to providing a high standard of education to our children and young people in North Yorkshire.”

Headteacher Garry Johnson said: “We are absolutely thrilled with our latest Ofsted judgments and report. We feel it celebrates the hard work we have put in to rapidly improve our school and we are thriving.

“We are immensely proud of our children who demonstrated during the inspection their great manners, behaviour, achievements and thirst for learning. Our parents are behind us and join in with everything we offer. We are hardworking, united and enjoy what we do!”

Jane Pepper, the school’s chair of governors, said the Ofsted inspectors’ report was testament to the collective effort of everyone at the school.

She said: “Everyone in the school community can take pride in this report, which describes the high expectations, ambitious curriculum and happy and enthusiastic pupils at Gladstone Road Primary School.

“Governors would like to thank headteacher Mr Johnson and all the staff for making Gladstone Road such a good school where all our children can thrive.”

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