Staff and pupils at Ludlow Primary School are celebrating after receiving a ‘Good’ grading from Ofsted.

The inspection at the end of January was the first since the amalgamation of Ludlow Infant and Nursery Academy and Ludlow Junior School in September 2019 under headteacher Mrs Kate Mather, and a ‘Good’ grading was achieved in all areas.

Ofsted inspectors noted that the school – which is part of the Diocese of Hereford Multi-Academy Trust (DHMAT) – has ‘high aspirations for pupils’ and that children get off to a ‘good start’ in the early years where they are ‘supported well to be confident and independent’.

In the report, it states ‘pupils are proud of their school’ and that there is a ‘strong community spirit’, with staff having worked together to build a shared identity across the school’s two sites.

Pupils were seen to be ‘kind and respectful towards each other’ and also seen to ‘clearly enjoy coming to school’, while parents and carers said they are very pleased with the changes to the school because staff ‘help their children to be confident and happy’.

Throughout the report the school’s high expectations for children are recognised and the curriculum is praised for being ‘clearly sequenced’, with teachers having good subject knowledge and using available resources well.

The school’s determination to quickly help children to learn to read is acknowledged and inspectors saw that those children who need extra support are identified quickly and given extra opportunities to practise.

In addition, Ofsted noted that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well, with their needs identified swiftly and accurately and the same ambitious curriculum followed.

Mr Andrew Teale, chief executive officer at DHMAT, said: “The publication of this report is a very important moment and it clearly recognises an incredible transformation at Ludlow Primary School over the last five years and the excellent leadership at all levels.

“The report rightly acknowledges how hard everyone has worked to build a strong school for the local community and to see it flourishing is absolutely fantastic.

“Ofsted reports do not use words like ‘incredible’ and ‘excellent’, but through the 30 years I have spent working in education, I recognise the highest standards of school leadership when I see it and at Ludlow Primary, I see it in abundance.

“The school is also a place which grows strong school leaders for the future through excellent training, support and mentoring and we are all very proud of everyone involved in achieving this ‘Good’ grading for this great school.”