Ofsted’s green light for “good” Greenhill

Inspectors didn’t have to look far for words to describe Greenhill Primary School – it was simply “good”.

The education watchdog rated the Mile Lane, Bury school as good in every aspect: leadership and management, behaviour and safety of pupils, quality of teaching, achievement of pupils, and its Early Years provision.

Ofsted said that learning gets off to good start in the early years and children became well prepared for Year 1. Good progress continued right up to Year 6, so that standards were above average, particularly in reading and mathematics.

“Teachers have high expectations of pupils and ensure that learning is interesting, engaging and usually well matched to pupils’ varying needs and abilities,” said Ofsted.

“Pupils’ behaviour, attitudes and enthusiasm are impressive. Pupils get on very well together, showing care and respect for each other and adults. The school is a very caring, nurturing and safe place to learn. Pupils thoroughly enjoy school and this reflects in their excellent attendance. Pupils say they feel safe.

“Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent. They are embedded in the various subjects taught and in the school’s well-promoted ethos and values. This, along with pupils’ good academic achievement, prepares them well for the next stage of their education.”

Ofsted went on to praise the “principled, ambitious and determined leadership” of the head teacher which, with the support of senior leaders and governors, had successfully steered the school through a period of many changes in staff.

Martyn Pilling, head teacher at Greenhill, said: “We are really thrilled with the outcome of this inspection, particularly in the current climate of targets and increased pressure on schools. The inspectors confirmed what we believed about Greenhill, and the whole school community. The Ofsted team was especially complimentary of the outstanding contribution of our children, which is excellent news.”

The full Ofsted report can be read at: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/105290

ENDS

Press release issued: 4 December 2014.

Picture: Greenhill head teacher Martyn Pilling with pupils (from top) Matthew Thornton, Lewis Watkin, Charlotte Tomlinson, Kate Chapman and Harry Branthwaite.