STAFF and students at a junior school in Thornbury are celebrating positive feedback following a visit by Ofsted.

Crossways Junior School was handed a rating of “Good”, the second highest possible grade, following the inspection on September 20 – a continuation from their last visit in 2014.

In the report, staff are described as “excellent role models” with high expectations being set for pupils and the mission statement – “Soaring to Success” – setting the vision and direction of the school.

The report also states that, “through the school’s accurate self-evaluation, staff are aware of what the school does best: the promotion of pupils’ personal development and behaviour”.

Following this, staff are aware that pupils’ progress in areas like writing has improved and what the most able disadvantaged pupils and most able pupils with special educational needs and disabilities need to reach higher standards in their learning.

Leadership, in particular executive head teacher Mark Toogood, received ample praise in the report, which said he had “established a strong strategic lead for the federation” with senior staff and teams of staff working “seamlessly together to ensure the continuation of good education provided”.

Safeguarding was also praised in the inspection report with all appropriate checks being made on staff before they join, as well as records being well kept, resulting in pupils feeling safe at school and knowing through the curriculum how to keep themselves safe as well.

The next steps for the school suggested in the report included leaders and those responsible for governance ensuring pupils’ progress in writing is sustained and continues to improve, and for the most able pupils who are disadvantaged, have special educational needs, or are disabled, to reach the combined higher standard in reading, writing and maths.

Mr Toogood said: "It is really pleasing to know we are continuing a high standard. I think it is where we would have evaluated ourselves.

"That inspection was a huge team effort, it was all the staff, teaching and support, the governors, the parents and most importantly the children, who showed what Crossways Junior School is about.

"We would obviously like to get that outstanding rating next time, but we must ensure foremost that whatever we do is right for the children, and trying to do the best for them, the parents and the school community. If that enables us to get outstanding then that is great."