Children, who “shine like stars lighting up the sky”, have been praised by Ofsted for their exemplary behaviour and pride in everything they do.
St Godric’s Catholic Primary School, in Thornley, is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust which has 30 schools across East Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
Ofsted lead inspector Dughall McCormick, who visited the school at the end of the autumn term, praised the school for providing pupils with a “fantastic start to their education”.
“Pupils love attending this nurturing and welcoming school,” he said in his report.
“They thrive in an environment where staff care deeply for them. Staff know their pupils very well. Adults foster strong, lasting and positive relationships with pupils. Pupils feel happy and safe in this warm and supportive setting. They have confidence in adults who they know will support them if they do have worries.
“The school has high expectations for pupils’ achievements. Pupils meet these expectations. The curriculum prepares pupils extremely well for their next steps. Pupils take pride in everything they do. They are eager to learn and they epitomise the school’s mission statement to shine ‘like stars lighting up the sky’.”
The behaviour of the pupils at the school, which is on Thornley Road and part of a federation with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, is “exemplary” and children demonstrate a “strong sense of pride in themselves and the environment”.
“Pupils benefit from a broad, ambitious and well-organised curriculum,” continues the report.
“This curriculum is expertly taught in a way that ensures that all pupils receive the best possible education. The curriculum is adapted to consider the mixed-age classes and the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The school has identified the most important knowledge that pupils should learn in a broad range of subjects.”
Ofsted also identifies that children in Reception get off to a “fantastic start to their education” at the primary, with books and stories integral to their learning. The school also prepares pupils well for their later lives and are taught that everyone should be treated with respect and tolerance.
“The school, governors and the Trust share the same ambitious vision,” he added.
“There is a relentless commitment to ensuring that the school continues to improve. The school benefits from collaboration with other schools across the federation, the Trust and beyond. These collaborations bring welcome opportunities for staff to develop professionally.
“The school is considerate of staff workload. Many adults describe working at the school as being part of a family. Many parents and carers speak extremely positively of the school with several describing the school as ‘amazing’.”
Executive headteacher Julie Hill said: “We are always so proud of our wonderful school community, and we are delighted that the inspection captured us so well.”
There are Reception places available. For more information, please visit www.stgodricsthornley.org
For more information about BCCET, please visit www.bccet.org.uk
ENDS
Photo captions: Executive headteacher Julie Hill with pupils of St Godric’s Catholic Primary School.