FOR many schools, a glowing Ofsted report would be cause for celebration - but one Bradford school is taking a very different approach after receiving a ‘good’ rating.

The headteacher of Wibsey Primary School has insisted there are to be no celebratory photos, banners at the school gates, or Ofsted ‘Good School’ logos on letters.

Nigel Cooper, headteacher at Wibsey Primary School, on North Road, Wibsey, issued a damning statement to the Telegraph & Argus outlining the school’s approach.

In it, Mr Cooper spoke of how the death of headteacher Ruth Perry “led a lot of school leaders to reflect further on the often-intolerable pressures of the Ofsted system”.

He said that when a school does well, its leaders cannot “laud a system with flaws, that are criticised when things go wrong”.

The watchdog faced mounting pressure to reform after Ms Perry, a headteacher in Reading, Berkshire, took her own life in January.

She died while waiting for an Ofsted report which downgraded her school from the highest rating to the lowest possible.

Earlier this month, it was announced MPs would be launching an inquiry into Ofsted’s school inspections and whether they could be improved.

It will investigate concerns that the one-word ratings given to schools may not be conducive to helping them improve, though chief inspector Amanda Spielman said this “wouldn’t really solve the underlying discomfort”.

Following an inspection in April, Wibsey Primary School was rated as ‘good’.

Students at the school were described as “calm and focused” and staff were said to have high expectations of students.

The report said: “Pupils engage well and are keen to learn. Bullying is extremely rare and is not tolerated.

“Pupils have respectful attitudes and value people from all backgrounds. They care about each other.”

The school was lauded for its dedication to reading and instilling the importance of it in children.

The report said: “Leaders make sure reading is highly valued by pupils. Staff are trained well.”

It added: “There are daily interventions in place to support pupils who need extra help with reading.”

Inspectors highlighted the school’s strong bond with its students and said children are well-prepared for life in modern Britain.

The school's head said that staff, pupils, and the wider school community would celebrate the good work that goes on "day in, day out, all throughout the year" but added: “Whilst happy this good work was recognised by Ofsted, it was a brief snapshot visit.

“We know our school well and that good work would be happening regardless of whether we were having an inspection or not.”

He added: “The tragic death of headteacher Ruth Perry has led a lot of school leaders to reflect further on the often-intolerable pressures of the Ofsted system.

“When a school such as Wibsey Primary does well its leaders cannot then laud a system with flaws that are criticised when things go wrong.

“Following our inspection Wibsey Primary School will not be doing the usual happy photographs that appear in the press, the banners at the school gates or using the Ofsted ‘Good School’ logos on letters. 

“We also recognise that staff teams in all schools right across the Bradford district and nationally work tirelessly for the good of their children and we applaud them for this work.

“Schools are so much more than their Ofsted judgements.”

A spokesperson for the education watchdog said it does not comment on individual inspections or reports, but referred the Telegraph & Argus to a statement made on April 21 by Ms Spielman in which she said: “In recent weeks there has been much debate about reform of school inspections.

“The media has carried stories from teachers about their past Ofsted experiences and calls for change from unions and others.”

She said while Ofsted inspections are a “vital part of the school system” it is always looking for ways to improve.”

Earlier this month, a number of changes were announced:

  • Schools will continue to be graded 'inadequate' if inspectors raise issues around how children are kept safe but these schools will be revisited within three months to allow them to improve.
  • From September 2023, schools will be given more information and guidance on what is expected when it comes to keeping children safe, record keeping and staff training.
  • When discussing weaknesses, inspectors will reference the school and not individuals.
  • Schools will be given more information about the timing of inspections.
  • The body's complaints system will be changed so that complaints can be raised to an independent adjudicator at an earlier stage.