Elmsett and Sible Hedingham primary schools delighted with outcome of first inspections under Ofsted’s new assessment system

Two village schools concluded their first half-term in celebratory mood, after receiving glowing reports from the Government’s education regulator.

Elmsett Primary School was awarded good ratings in all five inspection areas from Ofsted, after being one of the first schools to be assessed under new inspection criteria.

Reforms implemented in September mean that Ofsted no longer gives schools an overall judgement – instead grading them in specific areas of performance.

These categories are quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.

At Elmsett, inspectors praised the school for carefully redesigning the curriculum with mixed-age classes in mind, and for preparing pupils well for the step up to secondary education.

“The school has a family feel, and all staff know the pupils well,” the report reads. “This is a school at the heart of the community.”

Reacting to the report, Leigh Hilton, headteacher at Elmsett Primary School, praised the whole school community for their contributions.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the pupils who played a huge part during the inspection, to the teaching, support and administration staff, and to the governors, who all did, and continue to do, a fantastic job,” she said.

“This was a team effort of which we are all very proud.”

Meanwhile, St Peter’s Primary School in Sible Hedingham also welcomed good ratings across the board, with an outstanding grade in personal development.

Ofsted highlighted the school’s family atmosphere, team spirit and “outward-looking” approach, by broadening horizons with trips to the Houses of Parliament, the West End and various museums.

St Peter’s headteacher Nick Hancock told SuffolkNews: “As a school, we are delighted with the outcome of our recent Ofsted inspection.

“I am incredibly proud to be headteacher at St Peter’s. It is a truly incredible team, who work passionately and tirelessly for our wonderful children.

“As headteacher, I am incredibly passionate about the personal development of our wonderful children.

“We feel that it is our duty to raise their aspirations, broaden their horizons and expose them to a wealth of different experiences and opportunities.