Ofsted: Holybrook goes from Inadequate to Outstanding

Holybrook Primary School, in Greengates, scored the highest rating in all areas following a recent inspection on April 5 and 6.

Prior to joining Exceed Academies Trust, who took up sponsorship when they received a Directed Academy Order from the Department of Education in December 2017, the school was at rock bottom.

Pupils were over the moon to receive the top rating.

In the report, Holybrook was praised for providing an environment which means "pupils leave ready for the challenges ahead having benefitted from an exceptional education that develops them academically and personally".

The education watchdog said: "Leaders are ambitious about what pupils will learn. Where barriers exist, staff work relentlessly to remove them."

It added: "Staff work highly effectively to deliver a curriculum that helps pupils understand their place in the world as active citizens."

Inspectors said that "leaders have carefully identified the key knowledge that they want pupils to know, and by when, in each subject.

"There is ‘joined up thinking’ about what pupils will learn from the moment they start in Nursery through to the end of Year 6.

"Pupils are taught about the risks they face as they grow up, including online. They are clear about how to keep safe and how to respond if they ever feel at risk."

Everyone at the school have worked so hard over the last few years.

Christabel Shepherd, Executive Head Teacher, and Chris Lloyd, Head of School, said: “We are delighted that inspectors recognised the exceptional quality of education that each child at Holybrook experiences.

"This incredible outcome for our school and community is thanks to the tenacity, dedication, high expectations and hard work of pupils, staff, families, governors, trustees and the Exceed Academies Trust team.

"We are immensely proud of our pupils."

Staff at the school are immensely proud of their pupils.

Duncan Jacques, CEO of Exceed Academies Trust, added: "For a school to move from Inadequate to Outstanding in such a short time frame, and throughout a pandemic, is simply incredible.

"We would like to thank the pupils for their positive attitudes and their engagement in the learning on offer here.

"We must say a massive thank you to all our parents for their fabulous support and for believing in a school which had previously been written off.

"We need to thank our local governors and trustees for backing our ambitions for the school and, finally, I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work."