7/8 - we’re just ‘outstanding’

SIMPLY outstanding — that’s the verdict being celebrated by pupils, staff and parents at Mayfield Primary School.

It scored top “outstanding” grades in seven of the eight categories inspected by education watchdog Ofsted.

And the glowing report by the inspectors concluded: “This is an outstanding school. Many aspects of its work are outstanding.

“These include the curriculum, teaching, the progress that pupils are helped to make and the care, support and guidance it provides.

“These are a direct result of the outstanding leadership and management of the school. The charismatic headteacher is a significant figure in the lives of the pupils, the dedicated and hard working staff, and the community, which the school serves so well.”

The Derker primary school is in a significantly deprived area and pupils start nursery with very low skills.

But, by the end of year six, their standards are close to average, and the number of 11-year-olds attaining Level 5 in their SATs — the standard expected of a 14-year-old — is above average.

“Evidence from many sources, including the school’s own detailed tracking system, shows clearly that pupils achieve outstandingly well in their seven years in the school to reach these standards,” added Ofsted “Pupils personal development and well-being are outstanding.

“They are polite, cheerful and maturely confident. Their behaviour is excellent in class and around school.”

The inspectors highlighted books around the school including “Mayfield Magic Moments” and delighted head teacher Christine Taylor said: “Fantastic teachers, wonderful children and supportive parents have enabled the school to build on previous strengths on order to become outstanding.

“Our school is full of outstanding Mayfield magic moments. We are especially pleased that for the second Ofsted inspection running we got an outstanding for our curriculum and our teaching.”