8 Leeds schools rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted inspectors since January 2020

By Richard Beecham

Published 20th Sep 2022, 04:45 BST

Updated 20th Sep 2022, 14:46 BST

Leeds has plenty of good schools, but which ones are the very best, according to the schools regulator?

Only a handful of primary, secondary and further education institutions in the city have been awarded Ofsted’s prestigious “outstanding” rating in the past couple of years.

Take a look at our list to see if your kids’ school is on there.

Inspectors said, in January 2022: "Trustees, leaders and staff have established a school with excellence at the core of everything that takes place. The highest expectations are set for all pupils. Leaders have designed a curriculum to help pupils thrive, both personally and academically."
Headteacher Natalie Brookshaw is pictured with some of the pupils outside the school.

1. Dixons Trinity Academy, Chapeltown

Inspectors said, in January 2022: "Trustees, leaders and staff have established a school with excellence at the core of everything that takes place. The highest expectations are set for all pupils. Leaders have designed a curriculum to help pupils thrive, both personally and academically." Headteacher Natalie Brookshaw is pictured with some of the pupils outside the school. Photo: Simon Hulme

Following an inspection in May 2022, Ofsted inspectors said: "Pupils feel happy and safe at school. At all times, in lessons and throughout the school day, pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are polite, courteous and friendly. They treat one another with respect. Pupils know that adults listen to their concerns and help them. Pupils value the support from the in-school counselling service. Leaders carefully monitor and address any incidents. There is no bullying at the school.
Pictured is headteacher Sam Done outside the school.

2. Hillcrest Acadamy, Chapeltown

Following an inspection in May 2022, Ofsted inspectors said: "Pupils feel happy and safe at school. At all times, in lessons and throughout the school day, pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Pupils are polite, courteous and friendly. They treat one another with respect. Pupils know that adults listen to their concerns and help them. Pupils value the support from the in-school counselling service. Leaders carefully monitor and address any incidents. There is no bullying at the school. Pictured is headteacher Sam Done outside the school. Photo: Steve Riding

In a report published in April 2022, inspectors said: "The school site is very calm and incredibly purposeful. Pupils are enormously interested in lessons because curriculum planning is detailed. Teachers use very high-quality resources.
"Pupils are admirably independent. They listen carefully to teachers’ instructions and then apply themselves diligently to the work set."

3. Cockburn School

In a report published in April 2022, inspectors said: "The school site is very calm and incredibly purposeful. Pupils are enormously interested in lessons because curriculum planning is detailed. Teachers use very high-quality resources. "Pupils are admirably independent. They listen carefully to teachers’ instructions and then apply themselves diligently to the work set." Photo: Google maps

The 16+ learning facility kept hold of its "outstanding" status following an focussed visit in November 2020. Speaking of difficulties faced during the Covid 19 pandemic, inspectors wrote: "Through
careful planning and the support of teachers, students and stakeholders, they have achieved their objective of providing a safe environment where staff can deliver an appropriate blend of face-to-face and online learning."

4. Elliott Hudson College

The 16+ learning facility kept hold of its "outstanding" status following an focussed visit in November 2020. Speaking of difficulties faced during the Covid 19 pandemic, inspectors wrote: "Through careful planning and the support of teachers, students and stakeholders, they have achieved their objective of providing a safe environment where staff can deliver an appropriate blend of face-to-face and online learning." Photo: google

Inspectors said: "Staff know pupils well. Relationships between staff and pupils are strong. As a result, pupils feel safe. Staff model the positive behaviour they expect of pupils. Pupils are happy to speak to visitors and show them their work. The curriculum is very well thought out."

5. West Oaks School

Inspectors said: "Staff know pupils well. Relationships between staff and pupils are strong. As a result, pupils feel safe. Staff model the positive behaviour they expect of pupils. Pupils are happy to speak to visitors and show them their work. The curriculum is very well thought out." Photo: google maps

Although the last full inspection was carried out in 2011, a monitoring visit took place in 2020, during which there were heavy Covid-19 protocols.
The report stated: "We did not find any significant concerns during the visit. Teachers’ checks on pupils’ reading have revealed that pupils have forgotten some of the comprehension skills that they have previously been taught.
"Because of this, you have increased the time for pupils to practise their reading comprehension in all year groups."
Picture shows Variety's Sunshine Coach presentation to St Peter's Church of England Primary in Leeds back in 2016. pic: (Ian Hinchliffe / SWNS)

6. St Peter's Church of England Primary

Although the last full inspection was carried out in 2011, a monitoring visit took place in 2020, during which there were heavy Covid-19 protocols. The report stated: "We did not find any significant concerns during the visit. Teachers’ checks on pupils’ reading have revealed that pupils have forgotten some of the comprehension skills that they have previously been taught. "Because of this, you have increased the time for pupils to practise their reading comprehension in all year groups." Picture shows Variety's Sunshine Coach presentation to St Peter's Church of England Primary in Leeds back in 2016. pic: (Ian Hinchliffe / SWNS) Photo: Ian Hinchliffe