Grace Cook Primary School, in Stowmarket, achieves ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ grades in first ever Ofsted inspection

A school that has developed ‘a culture with high aspirations’ for its pupils since opening less than three years ago has been praised by inspectors.

Grace Cook Primary School, at Chilton Leys, Stowmarket, had its first ever Ofsted inspection in February.

The school, which is run by the Orwell Multi-Academy Trust (OMAT), opened in September 2022 and is named after astrologist Alice Grace Cook who was a pioneering British astronomer from the town.

Ofsted judged the school, which has 104 pupils on roll, to have ‘outstanding’ early years provision, while quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management were all deemed to be ‘good’.

The Ofsted report said pupils enjoyed ‘a safe and caring community’ and the school aims of ‘dream, believe, achieve’ were part of everyday school life.

The school has high expectations for pupils’ behaviour, and children in the Nursery and Reception receive ‘an excellent’ start to their education. The report also praised the ‘ambitious’ curriculum and the ‘purposeful environment that allows pupils to thrive’.

“Since the school opened in September 2022, it has developed a culture with high aspirations for its pupils,” the report said. “There are dedicated staff at all levels. They want pupils to build strong foundations for learning throughout their primary education.”

OMAT said headteacher Richard Dedicoat, assistant head Mrs Mayes, the staff and pupils should be extremely proud of this ‘well-deserved recognition’.

Alastair Heath-Robinson, CEO of OMAT, said: “We are incredibly proud of the remarkable progress that Grace Cook Primary School has made since its opening in 2022.

“This Ofsted report is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the leadership team, staff, and pupils, who have worked tirelessly to build a school with high standards and expectations.

“We are thrilled that Grace Cook Primary School is offering such a fantastic provision to local families and children, and we look forward to watching the school continue to grow and thrive.”

The report also said attendance was a high priority and pupils with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities) learnt with their classmates and achieved well.

To improve further, Ofsted highlighted areas to work on: in some subjects, the school has not identified precisely the knowledge that pupils need to learn; and the school does not consistently assess the implementation of the curriculum.