Noting the very high percentage of returns of the parent questionnaire, the Ofsted inspection team, lead by Ted Wheatley, commented on how pleased parents and carers of Broughton Primary School are with their school following the inspection at the start of May.

The lead inspector praised the school for “its excellent care, guidance and support underpinned by exceptionally close relationships between the school and home.”

Pupil numbers have been rising to levels not seen for several years, and Head teacher Neil Hardy, who joined the school in January, was highlighted as “providing extremely good direction for the school’s improvement and has accurately identified the strengths and is ambitious to raise academic success to at least the same level as the personal development of the pupils.”

The team congratulated the school and noted how the pupils enjoy school, are enthusiastic and, with above average attendance, how considerate they are towards each other.

Ofsted acknowledged that the school was moving into a new phase under new leadership and that attainment is above average and rising, and curriculum and pupil safety were both rated as good.

The Early Years provision received a good in all areas reviewed and the teaching team were praised for the good progress the youngest pupils made and for helping them to move into Year 1 with skills which exceed expectations.

“We are fully aware of how to move the school forwards and have already started on our plans to see levels of attainment and progress matching our outstanding pastoral standards. We are investing in new ICT equipment and developing our teaching and learning to give pupils an excellent educational start in life here at Broughton Primary School,” explained Mr. Hardy.