Staff and students are celebrating after their school has been rated ‘good’ in its first inspection since becoming an academy.

Lord Street Primary School headteacher, Hayley Walsh spoke about her pride at everyone involved in the changes that have been made at the school.

She said: “I’m so proud of this result and cannot thank the pupil, parent and staff community enough for supporting me in making necessary changes to the school since my appointment in 2021.

“My aim has always been to provide the very best educational opportunities together with outstanding experiences such as the phenomenal range of activities we offer and our upcoming trip to Paris this June.

“Our pupils’ are an asset to the school and I was delighted to see that the inspectorate had picked up that pupils enjoy coming to school and look forward to their day ahead.”

The inspection took place over two days in early January, where all five areas; quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision were all graded good.

Ofsted praised teaching and learning at the school in Colne stating that “subject curriculums are ambitious and carefully ordered to prepare pupils well for the next stage of learning” and were impressed that leaders had “introduced Mandarin for pupils in key stage two”.

Teachers were observed as having strong subject knowledge and check are regularly undertaken to understand how well pupils remember important knowledge before moving on to ideas.

As well as providing a “well designed and thought-out curriculum for all pupils, including those with SEND” inspectors highlighted the opportunity for pupils to take on leadership responsibilities, such as eco leaders, school councillors and mental health champions and that “pupils wear their leadership badges with pride.”

Inspectors found that pupils, staff and parents were extremely positive about the school and reported that “pupils enjoy coming to school and they look forward to their day ahead.”

The pivotal role played by the Pennine Trust was also highlighted, with inspectors commending the training that staff receive from the trust to develop professionally. 

Finally, inspectors observed that “Leaders have high expectations for all pupils, including those with special education needs and/or disabilities”, together with praise that the school had “appropriate systems in place to identify pupils’ additional needs quickly and accurately” which supported pupils with SEND to achieve well.

John Tarbox, Chief Executive of The Pennine Trust said: “I am delighted with this judgment and the report.

“It reflects the commitment of everyone at Lord St and the Pennine Trust to deliver excellence at Lord Street.

“I congratulate Mrs Walsh and her team. The school is on an upward trajectory, and it is an exciting time to be involved with Lord Street.

“We expect continued improvement in provision, opportunities and facilities and a school that is rooted in its community.”