Ofsted Inspectors have praised Callands Community Primary School following a recent inspection.
The 381-pupil school, which is scheduled to convert to academy status and join Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT), was rated ‘good’ in all five key areas following a two-day inspection in October.
In the new report, which does not award an overall effectiveness grade following changes to Ofsted policy, inspectors remarked that the school had “high levels of ambition for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Many pupils achieve success, both academically and as confident, well-rounded individuals.”
When inspectors visited in June 2023 for an ungraded inspection a range of improvements were recommended. In the new report they note: “In recent times, the school has made considerable developments to its curriculum to ensure that the content is clearly mapped out. It has set out the important information that pupils will learn from the beginning of the early years to the end of Year 6.”
The report said that pupils thrived on reading and that pupils with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) typically learned well, with the school identifying barriers to pupils’ learning “quickly and effectively”.
The inspectors said that many pupils modelled excellent behaviour and were “polite and highly personable”. “During lessons, many pupils learn studiously,” they said. “They are engaged and immersed in their learning. Pupils are respectful towards each other,” the report said.
Staff morale was also reported to be high, said the inspectors, adding: “Staff are extremely proud to be part of the school. They appreciate that their opinions are considered and that the rationale behind decisions is shared. This helps to support staff’s workload and wellbeing.”
Callands was rated good across all areas: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.
This was Callands final Ofsted inspection before it is scheduled to convert to academy status and join Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT). Following a public consultation earlier in the year and approval from governors, the school’s application to convert to academy status and join WPAT was approved by the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC). Callands is now working with the RSC, Warrington Borough Council and WPAT towards an official conversion date.
Headteacher Siobhan Bentley said: “We are really proud of this report, particularly at a time when the benchmark of ‘good’ has been set at the highest level it has ever been.
“The school has worked extremely hard to ensure that the areas raised after the 2023 Ofsted inspection could be improved and that strategies could be implemented and reviewed within this 16-month timeframe.
“The next steps identified in the latest report were already within our school development plan and we continue to work towards this.”
Nigel Spencer, Chair of Governors, praised the Ofsted report. “It is an excellent report, with Callands achieving a bar which has never been higher. The grading really does reflect the huge strides Callands has made in the past year and a half and shows that firm foundations for future success are firmly in place as we prepare to join the WPAT family of schools.”
The full Ofsted report is available at https://callands-warrington.secure-dbprimary.com/warrington/primary/callands/site/pages/keyschoolinfomation/ofsted
