Outstanding School November 2008

Outstanding Again!!    That’s the only way to describe Ramsbottom’s St Joseph ’s Roman   Catholic   Primary School for the second time.

For when Ofsted inspectors came back to check out just how the school is doing after their last inspection in 2005, which was also graded Outstanding across the board they found that outstanding was the only word to describe this amazing school!

Outstanding is the highest grade that can be given by the independent inspection team and at St Joseph’s they used it in every single area from the overall effectiveness of the school to its achievement and standards, the personal development and well-being of the pupils, early years foundation stage, teaching, learning, leadership and management. Children’s behaviour was described as exemplorary.

 The report states; “This is an outstanding school which, in their words, pupils are ‘proud to attend’ and they cooperate very effectively as one happy family.  Parents’ comments include ‘ St. Joseph ’s is an excellent school’ and ‘I can’t imagine sending our children anywhere else.’

The school’s outstanding leadership and management, recognised at the time of the previous inspection in 2005 and again in 2008, continues to provide an environment focused on continuous improvement, where staff and pupils are determined to do as well as they can.  As a result, pupils achieve outstandingly well.  The excellent leadership of the headteacher, Mrs. Pauline Leatherbarrow, ensured that the school established challenging targets to maintain and raise further the excellent achievements of pupils over the past few years.

The report went on to say ‘The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. Staff have very clear and high expectations about pupil learning.

In a letter sent to pupils from the lead inspector Mr. Onyon stated ‘ What a marvellous school you attend!  We found that your school provides you with an outstanding education and that you do some very exciting things.  Your parents agree with me that your school is a very happy place.  Your school is always trying to be even better.

After the glowing report, Chair of Governors, Mr Bill McSorley, happily commented:  “I am so pleased that the school has been given the recognition it richly deserves.  The very special partnership between children, staff, parents and governors has produced exceptional results.”

Back in October 2005 when the school was last inspected it was also rated as “Outstanding” in all areas. Headteacher, Mrs Pauline Leatherbarrow, who took charge eleven years ago, was quick to praise all those behind St Joseph ’s success.

She said:  “Standards of achievement for pupils leaving St Joseph ’s have been consistently high since the last inspection and this is as a result of the dedication and commitment of the teaching and non-teaching staff. We are all very proud of the children attending St. Joseph ’s. It is good to have their hard work recognised once again in this way.  Governors and parents have also taken an active role in the development of the school.  This has been a real team effort and I am very, very  proud to be their head teacher.”

Overall effectiveness – Grade 1

Effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage – Grade 1

Achievement and standards – Grade 1

Personal Development and well being – Grade 1

The quality of provision – Grade 1

Leadership and management – Grade1