Leigh St. John's CE Primary School celebrates 'outstanding' inspection rating in style

Leigh St. John's CE Primary School was handed an overall ranking of "outstanding" after a visit by education regulator Ofsted.

The Kirkhall Lane school was ranked "outstanding" in four out of five of the areas it was marked on and good in the other category.

A fun-filled festival including live music, a pop up disco tent and the opportunity for children to do circus skills was organised last week to celebrate the success of the inspection's findings.

Action from the school's festival last week

The report said: "The head teacher and deputy headteacher are ambitious for all staff and pupils to flourish and achieve their very best.

"The school has a culture of high expectations.

"Leaders have a clear strategic vision to develop and improve the school further.

"Governors work in a highly strategic manner to ensure that they provide leaders with the support and challenge that they need to develop the school further.

"Teachers are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about teaching and learning.

"They benefit from high-quality professional development.

"This ensures that they have the knowledge and understanding that they need to develop pupils’ learning further.

" Pupils thrive at Leigh St John’s. Leaders ensure that all pupils have a voice.

"The school council of pupil-elected representatives promote the ideas of their peers very well.

"Pupils are highly confident and self-assured when talking about their work and when expressing their views and opinions.

"The leadership of early years is first-rate.

"Leaders’ and teachers’ pursuit of excellence drives their determination to provide the very best education for children."

Pupils have fun at the festival

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The inspection was carried out over two days on June 4 and 5 and the report was published on July 9.

Head teacher Emma Lightfoot said: "We are immensely proud of everyone in our St. John’s community for this incredible ‘Outstanding’ achievement.

"St. John’s is fortunate and blessed to have wonderful children and families, supportive governors, as well as a dedicated and talented staff team.

"It has been 10 years since our previous Ofsted inspection which was also judged 'outstanding', and during this time our school has undergone significant change with our transition from an infant only school to a full primary school.

"To retain our ‘outstanding’ Ofsted judgement during this phase is extra special and a rare accolade.

"Consequently, we celebrated this fabulous result in an exuberant festival involving live music, pop up disco tent, circus skills and much more."