Shrewsbury primary school celebrates latest Ofsted report

The Grange Primary School, in Harlescott, Shrewsbury, has advanced in almost all areas, according to the report, which noted that “the school is rapidly improving”.

However, head teacher Marie Sibley said that while there was cause for satisfaction, there are still plenty of areas that the school would like to work on.

“The comments from the inspectors were actually extremely positive, certainly in comparison to those published in the last report in which the school was described as inadequate,” said Mrs Sibley.

“The overall comment is that improvement is required and we recognise that there are certain areas in which we could and should be doing better.

“But what is pleasing is that the comments note that not only have we shown marked improvement, but it has come at a good rate.

“I believe this is at least partly due to the fact that we are now sponsored by Shrewsbury Academies Trust who have been an enormous support in both resources and governance.”

The standard of leadership, and the behaviour and safety of the children, were both labelled good in the report. Other areas, which had been classed as inadequate last year, have now moved up the ladder to the status of “needing improvement”, according to the report.

Geoff Pettengell is executive principal of Shrewsbury Academies Trust, which also oversees Sundorne School and Sports College, Grange Secondary School - both of which are in Shrewsbury - and Longlands Primary School in Market Drayton.

He said: “This is a massive step forward for Grange Primary and I have no doubt that the reports will continue to reveal real improvement.

“The focus now for Marie and her team is to keep improving the standard of teaching and it would come as no surprise to me if the school is classed as good across the board in the next report.”