'Welcoming' Castleford school praised in latest Ofsted inspection

Staff and parents at a Castleford primary school are celebrating after the school received a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.
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Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary School received the rating just 16 months after they were told they required improvement.

In their report, inspectors said the school, which teaches 500 students, was “welcoming” and offered “extremely rich” support to pupils.

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The report reads: “Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary is a welcoming school where pupils feel valued.

Staff and parents at a Castleford primary school are celebrating after the school received a Good Ofsted rating.Staff and parents at a Castleford primary school are celebrating after the school received a Good Ofsted rating.
Staff and parents at a Castleford primary school are celebrating after the school received a Good Ofsted rating.

“Pupils are extremely polite and are friendly to visitors. They told inspectors they are proud of their school and enjoy learning.

“The school is at the heart of the community. Pupils collect for the local food bank, fundraise for local charities and organise litter picking events in the community.

However, a “variability” in quality of work was noted in key stage 2 science, while a “small number” of pupils were frequently absent.

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Sophie Dixon, Headteacher at Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary, said: “I am extremely proud of this wonderful achievement by our school.

“Everyone has worked extremely hard to raise standards and it is a pleasure to see it paying off.

“I would like to thank all our staff, children, parents, governors and the Council for all their support and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the future.”

Councillor Richard Forster, Chair of Governors at the school, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the improvements the school has made over the last two years.

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“The latest inspection from Ofsted recognises the progress that has been made and this is down to the hard work of the staff at the school, to whom I must offer my congratulations.

“I would also like to thank the Council’s School Improvement service, whose support has been invaluable.”