A PRIMARY school in the area is celebrating a good report from education regulator Ofsted.

Old Sodbury Primary School was handed the rating after inspectors visited the school in November last year.

The school received a good rating in four categories as well as the highest rating from inspectors - an outstanding - for personal development. 

Inspectors in their report described pupils as “safe”, “happy” and “kind” where parents say their children “flourish and thrive” at the school. 

The report also states that pupils “love attending” the school and staff have high expectations of what every pupil can achieve. 

The school's curriculum was praised for being "broad" and "ambitious," allowing students to recall what they have learned while successfully building on what they already know.

Inspectors also say learning at the school has been adapted for children with SEND, allowing pupils to follow the same curriculum as their peers.

Gazette Series: Old Sodbury Primary School headteacher Bernice Webber-Brown with pupils Old Sodbury Primary School headteacher Bernice Webber-Brown with pupils (Image: Old Sodbury Primary School)

The news has been welcomed by headteacher Bernice Webber-Brown.

“I am so proud of our school community,” she said. 

“Children, parents, staff and governors have worked together to create an environment where outstanding provision for our pupils' personal development ensures that all children here thrive.”

Ms Webber-Brown added: “Old Sodbury School are currently taking applications for reception class 2024 and welcome families from a wide area including Old Sodbury, Chipping Sodbury, Yate and beyond. 

“If you are looking for a small, nurturing, high achieving school with an extensive extracurricular programme, please see our website for further details.” 

The report reads: “All pupils experience a plethora of wider enrichment activities that help them to develop new talents and interests. 

“The school is tenacious in helping every pupil to find something that they enjoy and can feel successful at.

"Pupils behave well. Staff use praise and rewards to remind pupils of what is expected of them. There is rarely any interruption to learning."

However to improve the school was told by Ofsted that some areas of the curriculum needs further improvement.

Meanwhile, inspectors also say the school should ensure that teaching activities build knowledge and skills consistently well across the whole curriculum.

Ofsted previously rated the school as outstanding 12 years ago, in November 2011, under a different inspection framework.

According to Ofsted, the school has since been legally exempt from routine inspections, resulting in a longer-than-usual gap.