Doncaster primary school praised by education watchdog Ofsted

A Doncaster primary school has been praised in a report by education watchdog Ofsted.

Staff and pupils at Richmond Hill Primary Academy, part of The Rose Learning Trust, have been celebrating this week following the report.

During the inspection in June, Ofsted said that the school is at a strong standard in three of the seven categories assessed and at the expected standard in the other four.

The Ofsted report is full of highlights, including that:

• Inclusion is at the heart of the school’s deeply held vision.
• Pupils show highly positive attitudes, talk together productively and move around the school responsibly.
• Leaders are clear and unequivocal in their commitment to improving the school, and they are proud of what they have achieved. They understand the school's context, its strengths and the areas it needs to develop. A determination that every pupil belongs, whatever their background or needs, runs through all the school's work.
• Pupils are happy at school. The welcome they receive from staff at the start of each day sets a positive tone. Pupils feel safe and know there is always an adult they can talk to if they are worried.
• The school has, ‘a coherent, well-ordered curriculum. It identifies the important knowledge and concepts that pupils learn, and clear end goals, from the early years to the end of Year 6’.
• The nursery provides a rich environment that helps children to learn. Adults design activities skilfully to develop the areas children most need, relationships between adults and children are caring, joyful and positive.
• Pupils share the school's deeply held values. They know the importance of respect and tolerance. Pupils develop a secure knowledge of the protected characteristics. This is shown in their understanding of ideas such as stereotypes and insistence that discrimination of any kind is wrong.

The inspection at Richmond Hill was carried out in June under the new Ofsted framework, where schools are no longer given one-word judgements; they are now graded across a range of areas on a five-point scale from ‘exceptional’ to ‘urgent improvement’, with ‘expected standard’ being the new benchmark for high-performing schools.

Kelly Cousins, Principal at Richmond Hill Primary Academy said, “We are so pleased that the inspection team recognised how fantastic our pupils are, as well as highlighting the hard work, dedication and care given from our fabulous team, to all of our pupils and families.

“We really feel that this report captures the essence of Richmond Hill and are extremely proud to share this with our school community. ”

Jeremy Harris, The CEO of The Rose Learning Trust said: ”We are so proud of this strong Ofsted report and how it recognises the commitment and ambition of the school leaders, staff, the community and the trust to create an inclusive and ambitious culture for the children at Richmond Hill”.