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Headteacher's praise after Walsall school's Ofsted improvement

A proud Walsall headteacher has paid tribute to his school community for helping them make big improvements following a poor Ofsted report.

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Abbey Primary School

Inspectors gave Abbey Primary School, on Glastonbury Crescent in Mossley, Bloxwich, a ‘requires improvement’ rating following a two-day assessment in 2017.

But two years later, the school has been upgraded to good saying the leadership team has addressed the weaknesses identified previously effectively.

Inspectors also said children had a love of reading, pupils were progressing well and their behaviour and attendance had improved sharply.

In full:

Mark Gilbert, head of Abbey Primary said: “We are really pleased that Ofsted recognised the hard work and effort that has been made over the past two years, by the pupils, staff and parents at school to get to being a good school from the overall requires improvement judgement.

“I’m especially pleased that they recognised that teaching is good across the school and that pupils demonstrate a positive attitude to learning and are enthusiastic, conscientious and confident.

Proud

“The improvement in reading is down to the support of parents hearing children read at home, staff in the way they have changed the teaching of reading and pupils for their engagement in lessons and independent reading.

“That teachers have improved their skills in the report is a testament to the hard work of all involved in getting to good.”

Mr Gilbert added: “I am immensely proud of the pupils that attend Abbey Primary School and the staff that work here.

“The school has become a more nurturing, happy place to be with a greater focus on higher standards of attainment and achievement across the school.

“I would like to thank the parents for their continued support of myself and the school, I hope that we can continue to be the best we can be, as a whole community.”

Ofsted said the school can improve further by ensuring pupils use their phonics knowledge more consistently to support their early writing and challenge more able children better.