Both Low Road Primary School in Hunslet and Windmill Primary School in Belle Isle, who together make up the Music Federation, have recently received ‘Good’ Ofsted reports following inspections.
Both schools were found to be Good in all areas and reading between the lines it’s clear that Windmill in particular was close to getting Outstanding ratings in some areas.
Executive Headteacher Andy Gamble said the whole community should be proud of these results.
“We’ve got these Good outcomes and to me, that’s holding a mirror up to the people of Belle Isle and Hunslet and saying well done all of you because this is about the hard work of parents. The people of Belle Isle and Hunslet are very passionate people and very committed to the success of their children, as are we” he said.
Inspectors describe Windmill thus:
“Pupils have a positive attitude towards school and their learning. Leaders expect pupils to behave well and treat one another with respect. Pupils live up to these expectations. Pupils know how important it is to care for one another and support each other well.”
Of Low Road, Inspectors say:
“Pupils enjoy coming to school. They are happy and safe. Staff create beautiful environments where pupils can thrive. They provide the care and nurture each pupil needs to do their best.”
Both Andy Gamble and Federation Headteacher Rachel Troughton have been teaching in the area for 25 years. Neither have ever accepted the idea that children from Hunslet and Belle Isle would never achieve the same results as more affluent areas.
Rachel Troughton was pleased that the Inspectors “understood the community and the barriers our children face. They got how much we have to put in just to get our children onto the same playing field as children in some other areas.” But for her:
“Our outcomes are strong, but for any school it’s your pastoral care, your children’s wellbeing, your behaviour – they’re the things that make a school aren’t they, and that came out very strongly in the reports.”
Andy Gamble concluded:
“It’s testament to the hard work that goes on, throughout the school, and the consistency of the hard work that goes on. Maintaining that high standard that you want for the children and the families. In these communities everyone’s on board with wanting the best outcomes for the children and the families and that’s what it’s all about for us.”
As it says on the lanyard worn by staff: ‘Proud to want to make a difference.’
You can read the full Ofsted reports at bit.ly/WindmillOfsted and bit.ly/LowRoadOfsted
Photo: Executive Headteacher Andy Gamble (right) with staff and pupils at Windmill Primary School. Credit: Jeremy Morton
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