A NEW school has been rated good after its first inspection by Ofsted.

Great Oldbury Primary Academy was rated good in three categories: education, behaviour and leadership after it was visited by inspectors in February. 

Meanwhile, the school also received outstanding in two other categories for behaviour and early years provision.

The school - which opened in September 2021 - also has a nursery and pre-school on site and looks after approximately 145 children aged between two and seven. 

In the report, the school was described as "welcoming", "friendly," which has a "calm and purposeful environment" where student attendance is high.

Pupils were also described by inspectors as “well behaved” who are keen to learn and learn from a “well-sequenced curriculum”.

In addition, inspectors said children in the early years “get off to a flying start” demonstrating “high levels of concentration” and “perseverance”.

They also say staff are “superb role models” who are also “passionate” about early years learning which prepares pupils for their next stage of learning. 

Gazette Series: Students and staff (from top left to bottom right), headteacher Hayley Hall, nursery manager Jade Maloney, deputy nursery manager Hannah Wardrop, nursery practitioner Melanie Robinson, administrator Michelle Garrett and teacher and EYFS lead Lucy GoodmanStudents and staff (from top left to bottom right), headteacher Hayley Hall, nursery manager Jade Maloney, deputy nursery manager Hannah Wardrop, nursery practitioner Melanie Robinson, administrator Michelle Garrett and teacher and EYFS lead Lucy Goodman (Image: Great Oldbury Primary Academy)

"It is a pleasure to lead the school every day"

Inspectors also say the school is “highly inclusive” where staff adapt learning to support individual pupils with SEND allowing children to feel “happy, safe and ready to learn”.

Commenting on the rating, headteacher Hayley Hall said: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of our first Ofsted. 

“The report reflects the hard work and dedication of all the staff at Great Oldbury. 

“I am very proud of all the staff and children for their achievements. 

“This school is a truly amazing place and it is a pleasure to lead the school every day. 

“The whole school community really does dream big and achieve amazing things!”

Gazette Series: New school Great Oldbury Primary Academy has received its first rating from education watchdog Ofsted New school Great Oldbury Primary Academy has received its first rating from education watchdog Ofsted (Image: Great Oldbury Primary Academy)

However, to improve the school was told to “ensure that assessment is used effectively”, to check what pupils know, understand and can do, to inform future learning.

The report reads: “There is a positive and vibrant ethos that permeates through the school. 

“The school’s vision, ‘dream, believe, achieve’, clearly encapsulates its ambition to achieve the best outcomes for all pupils.”

“Pupils, including those in the nursery, benefit from a carefully planned curriculum to support their learning beyond the academic.”

The school is part of Gloucestershire Learning Alliance. 

Trust CEO Claire Savory said: “As a brand-new free school, I have seen this setting emerge from a muddy field to a thriving successful place of learning. 

“Great Oldbury Primary Academy has been a wonderful privilege to be involved with, to nurture and support as part of our GLA Trust. 

“We are incredibly proud of the team at GOPA for this wonderful first Ofsted report – testament to their vision of ‘dream, believe, achieve’ - a clear and shared ambition for all children.”

You can read the full report here - tinyurl.com/58mw3mj6