Primary school rated as good

CULCHETH Primary School was rated “good” overall following an Ofsted inspection in December.
The school, on Warrington Road, Culcheth, was rated “outstanding” for behaviour and safety of pupils.
Head teacher Amanda Smith said staff, pupils and governors had worked hard and were “delighted” with the results.
The school’s previous inspection was also rated “good.” This year’s assessment was “good” for achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, and leadership and management.
The inspector said: “This is a good school. The school has improved continuously since the time of the last inspection.
“Children start school with skills below and sometimes well below those typical for their age. By the time they leave Year 6, pupils have made better progress than that typically found nationally and their achievement is good.”
The report showed that those who joined the school later than normal were given a “warm welcome.” There was also “very good support” for pupils who are disabled, have special education needs, those eligible for the pupil premium and those from Irish traveller backgrounds.
The report showed staff and governors worked well together, and that pupils were proud of their school. Parents were shown to be “overwhelmingly positive” about the school.
The inspector said: “Leaders and staff foster pupils’ love for learning by planning exciting and memorable activities which inspire and motivate them to work hard and strive to succeed.
“Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted outstandingly well. Parents hold overwhelmingly positive views of the school.”
The teaching of phonics (letters and the sounds they make) was found to be outstanding. This is particularly the case in the Reception class and Key Stage 1, where lessons are very active and teaching is imaginative, all pupils are fully involved and make rapid progress.
The inspector said the school is not yet “outstanding” as the teaching can only be rated good.
“Governors are supportive and hold leaders to account well for pupils’ overall performance but they do not receive enough information about how well different groups of pupils are doing.”