Long Melford Primary School celebrates turnaround from special measures to good Ofsted rating in four years
Long Melford Primary School has hailed the hard work of staff and pupils in achieving a strong report from Ofsted, marking a major turnaround from its fortunes just four years ago.
Inspectors described the school in Cordell Road as having improved considerably since being placed in special measures following its previous inadequate inspection in 2015, with the school now rated as good across all categories.
The latest report – the first since the school joined the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocesan Multi Academy Trust in 2016 – credited the leadership’s clear vision for the school, which it says has delivered improvements in the quality of education and outcomes for students.
Headteacher Amanda Woolmer said the whole school community, including governors, parents, staff, students and trustees, were very pleased with the rating.
“It reflects the hard work and commitment that staff and governors have shown to give our pupils the best opportunities that we can,” she said. “I am extremely proud of all my staff and pupils and what we have achieved during the last three years.
“The three targets that the school has been set in order to improve further were areas laid out within our school development plan, and include progress made by our most able pupils and ensuring that our early years children are challenged.”
The report, which followed a two-day visit towards the end of the last academic year in July, noted that staff are proud to work at the school and are grateful for the support and training available.
It also highlighted the “broad and balanced curricular and extracurricular activities” provided to pupils, while those with special educational needs or disabilities are well supported and make increasingly greater progress.
Parents also praised the school via Ofsted’s online questionnaire, with one stating: “I think the school has improved immensely in the last few years. Strong, stable leadership has helped so much.”
