“I couldn’t be more proud” – Wearside headteacher reacts to good Ofsted report

The school was praised for its curriculum provision which was designed to “match the needs of the pupils” with a prioritisation of reading and the capacity of pupils to “revisit aspects of their learning”.

The school, which is located in Penshaw, was subject to a Section 8 inspection, a shorter two-day-inspection of previously judged good schools to see if standards are being maintained.

Writing in his report, lead inspector David Milligan believes the school is displaying qualities in-keeping with an outstanding school and has recommended a longer Section 5 inspection to confirm this status.

He stated: “There’s enough evidence of improved performance to suggest the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a Section 5 inspection now.”

After being informed of the judgement, headteacher Ashley Emmerson said: “We are proud of this judgement and particularly the fact the inspectors believe we are on the way to being an outstanding school.

"I couldn’t be more proud of the staff who were elated when I told them the outcome. The most pleasing aspects of the report are where it recognised the “excellent quality of education” and that pupils’ achievements are really high.

"The report also highlighted that the pupils’ behaviour was “exemplary” and this is a real testament to the staff and children. In many ways the report confirmed what we already know – that the children here get a really good deal.”

SEE ALSO: Gentoo and Greggs help ensure Sunderland school children get their day started with a free nutritious breakfast

The school was commended for its learning environment in which “corridors and classrooms are full of smiles” with “happy, kind and polite” pupils who “celebrate their peers’ successes with genuine warmth”.

The report was fulsome in its praise of provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Lead inspector David Milligan stated: “Leaders have high expectations for pupils with SEND. They are determined that support for pupils with SEND matches pupils’ knowledge of the subject. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. SEND plans are written with targets that are specific to each individual pupil.”

The report also recognised the pivotal role the school has played in supporting children and their families during the pandemic.

A message from the editor:

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters.

Your support for our journalism means we can continue telling Sunderland’s stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe - and click here to get a snapshot of the Echo’s news and sport to your inbox through our email newsletters.