News20th July 2016
Ark Brunel Primary Academy is celebrating being awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by Ofsted – just four years after its predecessor school was rated ‘inadequate’.
Inspectors praised the school for its outstanding teaching and curriculum, as well as examplary behaviour from pupils. In the executive summary of the report, Ofsted inspectors wrote: “Parents say that the school is ‘amazing’, and inspectors agree”.
The report also noted that “classrooms are a hive of activity underpinned by calmness with pupils listening very well to their teachers and each other” and that “exceptionally good behaviour means that pupils are ready to learn”. Teachers at the school were also praised as “dedicated” and that the school’s Nursery was also Outstanding.
Formerly known as Middle Row Primary, the school joined the Ark network in 2013. The school’s last Ofsted inspection found that the school was “Good”, but its 2012 inspection named Middle Row as “Inadequate”. Headteacher Dominic Smith said: “We are absolutely delighted with the result. Ultimately, getting an Outstanding rating isn’t just about a moment in time, but a reflection of high quality, day in, day out.
“Over the last few years, we’ve really focused on getting it right in the classroom and, together, we’ve worked to ensure great teaching throughout the school.
“We’ve also been very conscious about keeping parents involved, so we have open classrooms where parents and carers can come into lessons to see how their children are taught.”
Ark Brunel recently opened its new, state-of-the-art building, which features two roof terraces for outdoor learning and dedicated art & design and ICT rooms. The school also boasts an impressive music programme, with four pupils at the school recently having each won six years of fully-funded tuition at the Royal College of Music.
Anna Idbihi, who has two children at Ark Brunel, said: “The school has grown so much since we first started looking at Ark Brunel. The new building has made the environment so much nicer, the communication and involvement with parents is really good and the teachers are just amazing.
“It’s a school that really feels like a little family and my children love being there.”
Ark Brunel Academy opened in 2013 and underwent its first inspection during May 2016. The full report can be found at the link below.