Shrewsbury primary school delighted with good Ofsted report

Alan Parkhurst, Headteacher, said Crowmoor Primary School was “bucking the national trend” by doing so well, despite the tougher new inspections being carried out by Ofsted. The report states that “determined leadership from the headteacher has brought about significant improvement since the last inspection. The quality of teaching throughout the school has improved”.

The report lists many positives about the school and its pupils, saying “by the time they leave the school, pupils have very positive attitudes to learning. They speak with great enthusiasm about their school”.

Crowmoor’s high expectations and increased standards since it was last inspected so impressed inspectors that it was judged ‘good’ across all areas (achievement of pupils, the quality of teaching, the behaviour and safety of pupils and the leadership and management) and ‘outstanding’ in its support for vulnerable pupils.

Alan Parkhurst said he was delighted that the hard work of the staff and pupils had been so positively recognised by the inspectors. He said:

“At a time when more schools than ever are failing to meet the toughened new criteria being used by Ofsted in inspections, we’re delighted to have emphatically bucked the trend when we were inspected at the start of February.

“Current staff are the strongest the school has had in many years, and as headteacher I am very lucky to have such a committed team who always do their best for the children. The school has moved on massively in the last five years and we’re particularly proud of the fact that Ofsted has recognised the improved performance as being exemplary at a national level, the report saying that progress from year 2 to year 6 was among the best in the country.

“Our school is proud that it serves a very diverse catchment area and we strive to ensure that each pupil gets the individual support and help needed to make the best progress. We have only made such accelerated progress by working with the local community, parents and Shropshire Council and we thank all of them for their part in our success.”

Alan Parkhurst said the school had initiated action plans prior to the recent inspection to improve the development areas highlighted by inspectors, and was confident that as with the previous report the school would successfully improve those areas before the next inspection.

Matt Ware, Chairman of Governors, said the governors wished to congratulate the school staff for their dedication and hard work into making Crowmoor such a comprehensively good school, dedicated to serving the needs of the Monkmoor area. He added:

“Local people have seen the massive improvements the school has made and our numbers are rapidly increasing – we even had a waiting list for our nursery and reception classes last year. I am particularly happy that the inspection confirmed that pupils and parents are pleased with the school and the support provided by the staff. We work very hard to listen to the views of parents and pupils all year round.”

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for education and skills, said:

“I’m delighted to see such a positive report and would offer my congratulations to the teachers, pupils and parents.”