Ofsted inspectors have praised Castleton Primary School in Armley as ‘a safe haven for pupils’ in their latest report.
Inspectors rated the school, which sees pupils speak 30 different languages between them, as good in its quality of education. There was also praise for pupils’ behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and early years provision.
Inspectors also highlighted an ambitious curriculum and teachers who ‘make learning interesting and enjoyable’.
“Castleton Primary School is a safe haven for pupils,” the report says. “Some teachers taught many parents and carers when they were pupils at Castleton themselves. This helps staff in the early years to establish trusting relationships with parents quickly. This partnership helps children to settle happily when they start school.
“Pupils behave well most of the time. Very occasionally, a few pupils are unkind to others. Staff usually solve the problem completely. Leaders need to make sure that this happens every time. Leaders have introduced a new behaviour policy to help them with this.
“The diverse pupil population at Castleton helps pupils to learn about different faiths and cultures first hand. Pupils speak more than 30 different languages between them. Pupils are proud to share their cultural heritage with their friends. This helps prepare all pupils well for life in modern Britain.”
The report also says leaders have earned a good reputation in the community for meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
The report raises concerns over poor attendance at the school: “Leaders realise that pupils’ attendance is not good enough.
“Staff collect some pupils from their homes every morning, in the school minibus, and drive them to school.
“Despite leaders’ best efforts, some pupils are persistently absent. They are missing out on the good education on offer. Their poor attendance is slowing their progress.”
Read the report in full here.
Sponsored content
