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Sept 2022

Education

Praise for Harrogate school's 'strong community' in new Ofsted report

Published: 24 Sep 2022, 10:00 BST

Updated: 24 Sep 2022, 10:52 BST

by Vicky Carr

Rossett Acre Primary School was praised for its 'strong sense of community' and for the 'impeccable manners' shown by its children.

A Harrogate primary school has been rated 'good' with some 'outstanding' features in its latest Ofsted inspection.

Rossett Acre Primary School was praised for its "strong sense of community" and for the "impeccable manners" shown by its children.

Inspectors found it was 'good' in the quality of its education and early years provision, as well as its leadership. They rated its behaviour and attitudes, and its personal development, as 'outstanding'.

The report said:

"There is a firm focus on pupils’ academic success alongside their mental health and well-being.

"Staff encourage pupils to benefit fully from the rich curriculum experiences and opportunities on offer. Pupils enjoy their lessons and clubs, such as dodgeball, singing squad, multi-sports and orchestra.

"Pupils respond positively to the education they receive. They show high levels of motivation and a thirst for learning. Pupils feel valued by staff and are proud of the contribution they make to the school."

Inspectors highlighted the school's emphasis on diversity and culture of tolerance and respect for others as areas of strength.

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Addressing ways in which the school could further improve, they said the new phonics curriculum needed to be implemented in a way that ensured all pupils could make progress and those who were further behind could catch up.

They also said not all subjects were taught consistently from reception onwards, such as poor handwriting formation not being addressed early enough so bad habits could become established.

The report added:

"The broad offer and focus on developing staff expertise mean that pupils achieve very well in the range of subjects over time.

"The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND have the support they need so they can achieve well and be fully involved in school life.

"Teachers deliver the curriculum with enthusiasm. This rubs off on the pupils and they respond with curiosity and a desire to learn."

The inspection took place in June, before the summer holiday, and the report has been published this week.

The school has maintained its rating from its last full inspection in 2011, before it became an academy in 2016. It had a short inspection in 2019.

Rossett Acre is part of the Red Kite Learning Trust, a group of 13 schools including Harrogate Grammar School, Oatlands Junior School, and Western and Coppice Valley primaries.

Inspectors praised the support of the trust for the school, providing training to teachers and ensuring pupils had access to the best learning opportunities.

Responding to the report, headteacher Corinne Penhale said:

“We are thrilled with our Ofsted report, particularly our two areas of ‘outstanding’ for personal development and behaviour and attitudes.

"At Rossett Acre, children are at the heart of everything we do, and the Ofsted outcomes are testament to this.

"I am so incredibly proud of everyone in our school and our community who work so hard to ensure we provide a relevant, rich and fabulous education for our children. What a team!”

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Praise for Harrogate school's 'strong community' in new Ofsted report

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