'Good' Ofsted rating for school with ‘ambitious curriculum'

Denaby Main Primary Academy, part of Astrea Academy Trust, received the ranking of 'Good' in all categories – including quality of education, personal development, and leadership and management – following its latest Ofsted inspection in July this year.

The report, published this week, praised the work which has gone into improving academic and behavioural standards, saying: “Pupils are given opportunities to ‘be the best they can be’ and to be proud of what they can achieve”, feel “safe” at school and “make positive behaviour choices”.

Inspectors previously visited the school, on School Walk, in September 2019 and ranked it as 'requires improvement'.

In the recent inspection pupils’ behaviour from the early years upwards was praised by Ofsted alongside the wider opportunities they have to develop their character such as school council and eco council.

The report said “pupils knew and reflected the school values of tenacity, scholarship, ambition, empathy and aspiration”.

Inspectors also commended Denaby Main for being “an inclusive school where all are welcome” and noted “Parents and staff are positive about their school community.”

The curriculum was “ambitious and tailored to pupils’ needs”, they added.

The report also praised the work of the wider trust in supporting Denaby Main’s improvement.

Joanna White, head of Denaby Main Primary, said: “Our curriculum and teaching of core subjects has been recognised and praised as has our pupils’ behaviour which is all testament to the hard work which goes into teaching and learning at our school day in and day out.”She added: “I am also delighted that the report praised leaders, staff, parents and, of course, our children.

“Without the support and buy-in of the whole community, we would have been unable to achieve this sustained and ongoing improvement at Denaby Main Primary and I would like to pay tribute to each and every one of them.

Rowena Hackwood, chief executive of Astrea Academy Trust, said: “I am very proud of the leaders and their team at Denaby who have worked so hard to turn this school around.”