Pupils at St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School in South Shields are “excellent ambassadors” with “exemplary attitudes”, according to a new Ofsted report.
The school, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust and is located on Nash Avenue, was inspected by Ofsted at the end of January.
Ofsted lead inspector Richard Beadnall said in his report: “Pupils at St Oswald’s are welcoming, proud and happy members of the school community. Pupils of all ages are excellent ambassadors for the school. They exemplify the school’s vision of recognising and developing the dignity of each pupil. Their behaviours and attitudes towards each other are highly positive. As a result, pupils work and play together in harmony. There is a real sense of family at St Oswald’s.
“The school has high expectations for pupils’ achievement. Pupils persevere in lessons and produce high-quality work. They have impressive recall of their recent learning. Pupils of all abilities get the support they need to succeed.
“Pupils love to come to school. They talk enthusiastically about ‘teachers always helping’ and everyone being ‘treated equally’.”
Parents and carers are also positive about the school and told Ofsted that the school staff demonstrate “care and compassion” and their children “feel valued”.
School leaders have developed a high-quality curriculum, and lessons are “calm and purposeful”.
“Pupils at St Oswald’s are very well prepared for life beyond the school and for life in modern Britain,” continued the report.
“They have exemplary attitudes towards those from different backgrounds or faiths. Equality shines out across the school. As a result of a high-quality approach to mental health and well-being, pupils know the importance of a healthy diet, restful sleep and exercise. Pupils know their voice is heard across the school. For example, the school council were instrumental in creating a new set of values for the school. Other pupil leaders, including the head girl and the ‘buddies’, talk with pride about their roles in school.”
The wellbeing of staff is also important to the school and staff reported feeling “supported and valued”.
Headteacher Dominic Woodhouse said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ofsted have recognised the wonderful school community that we have with a real sense of family. I would like to thank all of the parents for their support, the staff for their relentless hard work and commitment, the governors for their unwavering support and most importantly the children for their exemplary attitudes. I feel incredibly privileged to be headteacher of such a wonderful school.”
The school is accepting applications for the Nursery class for September and there are also a limited number of places available in Reception. For more information about St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, visit www.stoswaldsrc.co.uk
For more information about BCCET, visit www.bccet.org.uk
ENDS
Photo captions: Headteacher Dominic Woodhouse with pupils at St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields.
Notes to editors: Until September 2024, on a graded (section 5) inspection, Ofsted gave schools an overall effectiveness grade, in addition to the key and provision judgements. Overall effectiveness grades given before September 2024 will continue to be visible on school inspection reports and on Ofsted’s website. From September 2024 graded inspections will not include an overall effectiveness grade. This school was, before September 2024, judged to be Good for its overall effectiveness. Ofsted has now inspected the school to determine whether it has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at that previous inspection. This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. Evidence gathered during this ungraded inspection suggests that the work may have improved significantly across all areas since the previous inspection. The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection.
Press release issued by SASS media on behalf of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. For more information, contact Sarah Dale on 07814 976582.