A Maida Vale primary school has bucked a local trend by being upgraded to an “outstanding” rating by education chiefs.
St Luke’s CE Primary School, in Fernhead Road, has been rated “outstanding” in all categories by Ofsted having been found “good’ for all of them in 2012.
Head of school Adrian Evans and executive head Harvey Webb said it was a “excellent outcome for St Luke’s” in a joint statment.
“We are delighted with our outstanding judgement in the Ofsted report from the inspection that took place in October,” they said.
“We are all aware of reports in the news recently that most schools who were previously outstanding have been downgraded in recent inspections.
“It is rare that a school is upgraded to outstanding as this grade is now only awarded to schools with exceptional practice – around 1 in 10 schools only.
“St Luke’s is the only recently inspected school to be outstanding within the local area.”
In their report inspectors said the 161 pupils aged four to 11 were happy and “love learning the rich and ambitious curriculum on offer at this school”.
They added: “Leaders and staff are determined that pupils do well in every curriculum subject. They help pupils to build on what they know, lesson by lesson and from year to year. Over time, pupils acquire detailed knowledge of a subject.”
Reading is a “top priority” and leaders and teachers are experts in helping pupils to learn and remember the “aspirational curriculum”.
“A rich, carefully planned range of school visits aims to help pupils to enrich their knowledge even further,” inspectors noted.
“For example, Year 6 pupils visited the Imperial War Museum when learning about the Second World War. They particularly enjoyed finding out more about the experiences of evacuees, building on what they had already learned in class.”
Children at St Luke’s enjoy an ‘aspirational curriculum’ says Ofsted having given the primary school an ‘outstanding’ rating (Image: St Luke’s CE School)
Mr Evans and Mr Webb added: “We thank all the children who explained their learning to inspectors so well; to staff for the excellent teaching; to parents for your continued support; and senior leaders and governors who lead the school so well.
“We are very proud of the St Luke’s school community.”
They said the school was currently accepting applications for places.
Interested parents or carers should take a look at its website or “pop in to arrange a tour”.
Secondary schools including Henrietta Barnett and Camden School for Girls this year lost their outstanding status.
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