Sharp Lane Primary School in Middleton has been found to be ‘Good’ in all areas in an Ofsted report published in the school holidays, following an inspection at the beginning of October. The report marked an improvement for the school which was found to ‘Require Improvement’ at its last inspection in 2019.
Headteacher, Rebecca White expressed immense pride in the school’s achievement, noting that the ‘Good’ Ofsted rating is a reflection of a transformative journey marked by resilience, dedication, and a passion for fostering holistic student development.
“Our success goes beyond the inspection report; it’s about creating an environment where every child thrives academically, emotionally, and socially,” said Rebecca White.
While the Ofsted report highlighted the school’s good performance in traditional academic metrics, it also recognised Sharp Lane’s holistic approach to education.
The school was commended for embracing a personalised ‘journey’ of over 80 experiences, which include skiing, planting bulbs, catching butterflies, canoeing, and climbing. The Ofsted report states:
“These journeys enrich the wider curriculum and provide rich and interesting cultural experiences that pupils might not have had before.”
Early Years was recognised as one of the school’s key strengths. Children achieve well in the early years and make exceptional progress with personalised interventions where staff know pupils well and tailor the curriculum for all pupils. There are high staff to pupil ratios, ensuring children receive exceptional care and attention. The Ofsted report states:
“The school has designed an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum in the early years. Phonic lessons start straight away in Reception. Improving children’s communication and language skills is prioritised in Nursery. Staff prioritise high-quality interactions between staff and children in the early years. There are plenty of opportunities for children to receive individual or small group attention from adults when they are speaking, listening, and learning.”
Neil Kinrade, Chair of Governors, commented:
“On behalf of governors, we welcome this ‘Good’ judgement and are pleased with Ofsted’s findings. It is a testament to the expertise and commitment that leaders and staff have demonstrated in school since the last inspection in 2019. Inspectors noted that both SEND and the Early Years are a strength of the school and that we have ‘an ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum.’
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the school community who contributed to the Ofsted inspection, particularly the pupils who inspectors spoke to during their visit. Our staff at Sharp Lane continue to work tirelessly for our pupils in the classroom and beyond. I very much look forward to seeing Sharp Lane continue to thrive in the future.”
Looking ahead, Sharp Lane remains steadfast in its commitment to continuous improvement. The school is poised to build upon its success by further integrating innovative practices, expanding community partnerships, and nurturing the unique strengths and talents of every student.
Ofsted grades schools on a four point scale from Outsanding, to Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate. Primary Schools are graded across five categories:
- The quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development
- Leadership and management
- Early years provision
You can read the full report by clicking here.
This post is based on a press release issued by Sharp Lane Primary School
Photo: Sharp Lane’s Early Years provision
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