Bradford primary school celebrates 'good' in all areas Ofsted report for first time in 20 years
A Bradford primary school is celebrating a historic milestone after being rated ‘Good’ in all areas by Ofsted for the first time in more than two decades.
Co-op Academy Parkland, located on Old Park Road, Thorpe Edge, was rated ‘Good’ in all five inspected categories - the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.
Since joining Co-op Academies Trust in 2018, Parkland has undergone a significant transformation.
During their inspection on June 24, inspectors described the school as a “haven” in the community.
The education watchdog said: “The school puts pupils and their families at the heart of everything it does. It is a haven for the community to go to for advice and support. The school’s values are understood well. Pupils and staff are inspired to, ‘do what matters most, be yourself always, show you care and succeed together’.
“The enthusiasm and dedication of the whole school community to make the school the best it can be is palpable. From the early years, pupils benefit from an environment rich with learning opportunities. The school is a calm, welcoming place, where relationships are warm and respectful.”
The curriculum is “thoughtfully designed” to meet the needs of Parkland pupils. Curriculum subjects are mapped out from the early years to Year 6. Teachers check carefully the progress pupils make throughout.
Historically, the outcomes pupils achieve at the end of Year 6 have been below national averages in writing and mathematics, the report said. However, leaders are “tenacious in their determination to raise standards.” Teachers now receive strong and effective support that enables them to teach the curriculum well.
Focusing on areas of further improvement, inspectors added: “At times, pupils who need more help to develop their handwriting skills do not receive effective support to help them to catch up quickly. This means that some pupils do not learn to write as well as they could.
“Too many pupils are persistently absent from school. They miss essential learning and experiences, which disadvantage them educationally and socially. The school should intensify their efforts and work with parents to remove barriers to pupils’ attendance.”
The school identifies and supports the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities “very well.” Teachers tailor learning and support to meet pupils’ individual needs.
The report also highlighted the school's close relationship with parents and its effective partnerships with professionals to tailor pupils' support and help them learn with confidence.
Chris Tomlinson, CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, added: “This inspection marks a powerful moment of recognition for Co-op Academy Parkland after years of hard work and determination from staff, pupils and the wider community.
“The school’s last inspection in 2023 acknowledged that improvements were underway and this latest report confirms that they have now taken hold. This ‘Good’ in all areas of judgement marks a significant and well-deserved turning point for a school that has worked tirelessly to improve outcomes for every pupil.
“Huge congratulations to the leadership team, staff, Academy Community Council, pupils and families for achieving this milestone. Together, they’ve created a school the community can be truly proud of.”