Queen’s Park Primary School is celebrating a major milestone after its latest Ofsted inspection found the school meeting the expected standard in every area inspected, with safeguarding standards also met - a significant achievement under a framework that sets a higher bar for schools than the previous inspection model.
The report recognises many significant improvements across the school. Inspectors found that, “Current achievement is improving across year groups,” that pupils are learning the intended curriculum securely and that the school’s focus on foundational knowledge is resulting in strong performance, particularly in phonics and maths. Headteacher, Emma Gale, said:
This achievement belongs to our whole community. Our children have been and continue to be at the heart of this journey. They show us every day what they are capable of. Our staff have worked with enormous commitment and ambition, our governors have supported and challenged us throughout, and our families and wider community have backed the school as we have raised expectations. We are an outward looking school and have embraced every offer of support from those who have wanted to help us improve because our community deserves nothing less. I am grateful to our Brighton & Hove Local Authority colleagues for their support, expertise and challenge along the way. Their renewed approach to school support has given us valuable access to expertise, partnership and constructive challenge throughout our improvement journey.
Ofsted described Queen’s Park as, “A safe and happy place,” with “calm and positive learning environments which help pupils to thrive.” Inspectors saw children, “Joyfully play together,” showing high levels of care and consideration, while pupils spoke passionately about their school. Pupils demonstrated responsibility, leadership and a strong sense of belonging.
The report recognises the school’s commitment to ensuring all children succeed, including disadvantaged pupils, children with SEND and those facing other barriers to learning. Inspectors found that pupils with SEND, “Achieve well across the curriculum and make good progress from their individual starting points,” and that disadvantaged pupils at the end of Key Stage 2 achieve in line with national averages.
Ofsted found that leaders have, “A clear strategy to ensure that the school is inclusive,” with staff understanding individual children needs actively reduce any barriers to their learning and wellbeing. Adaptations and targeted support enable pupils to learn successfully alongside their peers.
There was particular praise for the school’s youngest children, with inspectors declaring that, “Children in Reception Year get off to a flying start.” Children become confident speakers and listeners, develop secure foundations, and an above-average proportion achieve a good level of development by the end of Reception. Leadership and governance were also recognised. Inspectors found that, “Leaders and governors are ambitious for the school” and, “Put pupils first.”
They highlighted leaders’ secure understanding of the school’s strengths and priorities, governors’ effective support and constructive challenge, and the school’s positive engagement with external partners and professional networks.
Reflecting on the report, Mrs Gale added:
When you reflect on the journey this school has been on, this report means an enormous amount. It represents years of hard work, high-expectations and a shared determination to give our children the education they deserve. We are particularly proud that this improvement is not a story about some children doing well – it is about all children - demonstrating our ambition for all. This isn’t the destination. We have shown what is possible when a whole community works together with a clear belief in its children and in what its school can become. Queen’s Park is moving forward – and we are incredibly excited about what comes next.
