A BRADFORD school is "immensely proud" to have been rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in its first inspection as an academy.

Thorpe Primary School on Albion Road in Idle was visited by the education watchdog on June 7 and 8 this year.

The school joined the Carlton Academy Trust in December 2020, with headteacher Paul Mennell taking the reins this year.

The school was rated 'good' in every category and the report said: “Pupils of all ages benefit from the warm and nurturing culture in the school.

"Older pupils take care of younger pupils and help them out, for example when they are playing outside.

“Staff insist that pupils try their best in all that they do. Staff are caring to pupils and encourage them in a positive way.”

The report said pupils' behaviour had improved due to a ‘behaviour blueprint’ of which staff and pupils have a thorough understanding. 

It added that trustees knew the strengths and weaknesses and were energised to carry out improvements.

The report said: “Leaders identified that phonics was not taught well enough in the past.

“They have introduced a new curriculum for reading.

“This curriculum clearly maps out the sounds that teachers need to teach pupils and when.

“Leaders provide important information to teachers about how well pupils are keeping up.”

Inspectors said the overall curriculum had been mapped out well and was clear in all subjects what knowledge pupils should learn and when.

Safeguarding at the school was described as effective by Ofsted and inspectors said parents felt supported and valued the work of staff.

The report highlighted some improvements that could be made. These included teachers breaking information down into "sufficiently small component parts".

The report said: “Leaders should ensure that teachers are clear on the component knowledge needed in each lesson and have the subject knowledge to model and explain it successfully.”

Headteacher Paul Mennell, said: "I am immensely proud of the Ofsted report, which is a true reflection of where we currently are as a school.

“Having only being the headteacher at Thorpe for a year, there has been a lot of transformation that has taken place.

“All of the children, staff, parents, and Carlton Academy Trust were fabulous throughout the inspection and continue to be.

“Not only has the school received an extremely positive Ofsted report, but we have also received the World Class Schools Quality Mark, shortlisted for World Class School of the Year 2023, shortlisted for the Early Years Setting of the Year 2023 (tes awards) and won a Pearson National Teaching Award.

"The school continues to grow, and it is exciting times here at Thorpe."