THE headteacher of a primary school in Thornbury said it felt like the team had ‘won an Oscar’ for their exceptional hard work after the school was given a good rating in its most recent Ofsted inspection.
Headteacher Caroline Carter of Gillingstool Primary School said she was ‘over the moon’ with the report for the school after the watchdog upped its rating from needs improvement in 2018 to good in its recent inspection in July.
She said the school that currently has 154 children from reception to Year 6, had revamped the entire curriculum to reflect to the new school values that include involving the community with learning.
She said: “I am over the moon with our latest inspection, we have been waiting for it since I arrived.
“During the pandemic we completely rewrote the curriculum to take into account the needs of the community and to use the history of the local area in the children’s learning.
“My staff have worked their socks off and I am immensely proud that the hard work has now been recognised.”
The school that has a well-being team as well as school counsellor and pastoral care received a good rating in all four areas of the inspection.
In the report, inspectors Richard Vaughan and Sandra Woodman highlighted staff’s high expectations of behaviour and that bullying is rare.
The report said: “The relationships between staff and pupils at Gillingstool are warm and encouraging.
“Pupils are confident, curious and respectful in lessons. They enjoy learning in the caring environment adults create. Pupils say the school has a positive atmosphere.
“Leaders are ambitious for all pupils. There is a well-planned and considered curriculum in place.”
The school were advised to work on leadership in some curriculum subjects to gain a clear understanding of how effectively the curriculum enables pupils to build knowledge over time.
Ms Carter added: “I haven’t stopped smiling since, I recognise how hard everyone has worked for this.
“For me and my staff who have worked exceptionally hard, it’s like getting an Oscar in the teaching world!
“I am just so proud of our teachers, students and community.”
For information on open days for prospective parents, email office@gillingstoool.org.uk
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