Hartlepool primary school celebrates first ‘good’ Ofsted report since 2010

The rating by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) for Lynnfield Primary School, in Grosvenor Street, is one grade higher than the “requires improvement” grade it received in June 2019.

It was last deemed “good” in 2010.

The latest report, which followed an inspection in March, said: “Lynnfield Primary School has a warm and welcoming ethos, which helps pupils to thrive.

"Leaders and staff have high expectations for pupils and there are strong levels of respect between all staff and pupils.

"Pupils are considerate of each other and of the many cultures that make up the school community.”

Sue Sharpe, executive headteacher of the Federation of Golden Flatts and Lynnfield Primary Schools, said: “We are thrilled and proud for Lynnfield Primary School to be judged as ‘good’ across the board in terms of the school’s overall effectiveness, the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, early years provision, leadership and management and personal development.”

The report said Lynnfield prides itself on preparing its pupils for life beyond the school gates, adding: “Pupils’ personal development is a key part of school life.

"The personal, social and health education curriculum addresses local issues well and prepares pupils for life in modern Britain.”

Ms Sharpe said: “The positive outcome of this inspection is the result of lots of hard work, dedication and commitment by the entire Lynnfield school community – pupils, staff, governors and parents/carers – to raise standards and drive the school forward, and I would like to thank everyone for their invaluable support.”

This year, Lynnfield Primary School also achieved the National Nurture Schools Award, which is awarded to a select few schools who have succeeded in creating a nurturing culture for the children in their care.

Carolyn Lakin, head of school at Lynnfield Primary School, said: “We are delighted to have achieved National Nurture Schools Award status which underlines our commitment to create and maintain a vibrant and caring learning environment where pupils’ individual needs are very well catered for.

"The Principles of Nurture are at the heart of everything we do as a school community and we are proud to see that this has been acknowledged by the assessors.

"Our sister school, Golden Flatts Primary School, now joins us in having achieved Nurture Schools Award status – the only schools within an 80-mile radius of Hartlepool to do so.

"It is amazing that two schools within the same federation have been recognised in this way.”

On completing its inspection, Ofsted offered a number of recommendations to help improve the school.

Ofsted reported how in some subjects “checks on the implementation of the curriculum are not as robust as they could be” and that there are “some inconsistencies in teaching” which are “not addressed quickly”.

The report also stated: “Despite actions from leaders, some pupils still do not attend school as regularly as they should.

“Some pupils are falling behind in their learning. Leaders must continue to work with pupils and their families to improve attendance more rapidly.”