Pupils, parents and teachers are celebrating Newcastle’s Atkinson Road Primary Academy officially being rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted inspectors, who praised it as a “wonderfully supportive school.”
The 500-pupil school in Benwell was ranked good in all areas of school life and leadership.
Atkinson Road Primary expanded last month to incorporate Atkinson Road Nursery, now educating children aged from two until 11-years-old, with new headteacher Lisa Macaulay taking over leadership praised for her ‘vision, enthusiasm and dedication’.
The latest Ofsted rating maintains the primary school’s good status gained during its last inspection in 2013.
Ofsted praised:
A committed leadership team with a determination to provide the very best education for pupils
New headteacher Mrs Macaulay, quickly building on the solid foundations laid by former head Andrea O’Neill
Investment in pupils’ care helping children “thrive in this wonderfully supportive school”
Well behaved pupils respectful of each other and adults
High priority placed on ensuring pupils are safe, with youngsters saying bullying and poor behaviour are rare in school and dealt with promptly
Improving attendance above the national average
The Ofsted inspector was pleased by the smooth transition of nursery into the main school and praised “the exciting vision” the school has to develop its early years capability.
“Our very special children, parents, carers and staff deserve this recognition as we have, in the words of the inspector, worked hard together to make a ‘happy and successful school,’” said Mrs Macaulay.
“We are unusual in that we have children coming from countries all around the world to work, play and learn together, but it makes our school an exciting place to be – right in the centre of our amazing Benwell community.
“The work of Mrs O’Neill, our recently retired headteacher, is rightly recognised in this report. She worked tirelessly to ensure that only the best was good enough for our children. We will continue to make sure that this remains the case always.
“We are lucky to have a fabulous governing body who care as much about our school and our children as staff do and also to be part of the Laidlaw Schools Trust with its dedicated support team.”