School is a class act, say inspectors

A SCHOOL is celebrating after receiving glowing praise from Government inspectors.
CELEBRATION: Cotsford Junior Schools links to Sunderland AFC were praised by OfstedCELEBRATION: Cotsford Junior Schools links to Sunderland AFC were praised by Ofsted
CELEBRATION: Cotsford Junior Schools links to Sunderland AFC were praised by Ofsted

Staff, pupils, parents and governors of Cotsford Junior School, in Horden, were delighted after a recent Ofsted inspection graded the school as ‘good’ for overall effectiveness and ‘outstanding’ for leadership and management and the behaviour and safety of pupils.

The Ofsted inspector also commended the school and its strong links with Sunderland AFC through registered charity Foundation of Light, and also Hartlepool United which supports the promotion of sport, including opportunities for parents to engage in ‘Family Learning’ programmes and work towards recognised coaching awards.

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The school’s relationship with Foundation of Light’s outreach centre at Caterpillar UK in Peterlee saw Black Cats’ stars Costel Pantilimon, Jordi Gomez and Cabral visit the Cotsford Juniors earlier this week to observe a sports session delivered by Foundation coaches Jason Hendry and Joe Laundon.

The visit was a fitting reward for the pupils with the players particularly impressed with the impressive array of trophies and awards that the Year 5/6 boys’ football team had won during the 2013-14 season.

John Fothergill, Foundation of Light’s East Durham operations manager, said: “Foundation of Light has built up an excellent relationship with schools across East Durham.

“We’ve worked with pupils and their families at Cotsford Junior School through a range of programmes and are delighted the players were able to come along and observe one of our sessions.”

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The Ofsted report noted the ‘excellent use made of the additional primary school sport funding’, the majority of which goes to the Easington School Sports Partnership based in Peterlee. The team, led by Garry Purcell, whose staff, including Steve Lamb, the school’s PE link specialist, ensure pupils take part in a range of high quality sport and physical education.

Headteacher Beverley Jones and deputies Amy Marshall and Rachel Manley, were delighted at the recognition given to all the adults who support the school.

They were full of praise for the teachers, wit the report saying “teaching and the quality of classroom support are never less than good and are sometimes outstanding”. Teaching assistants were also praised for making “an excellent contribution to pupils’ achievement” as were governors who “make an outstanding contribution to the success of the school”.

In his summary of the school, Ofsted inspector David Wilson said: “Behaviour in and around the school is excellent.

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“Without exception pupils are polite, kind and considerate to one another and adults.

“Staff and governors work as one to provide high-quality learning, raise the aspirations of pupils and their families and improve the life chances of all the pupils.”