Oxford primary school improves Ofsted rating to good

Larkrise Primary in Boundary Brook Road received the rating after inspectors from the national education standards body visited the school before Easter.

The school had been rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2018, after which it joined River Learning Trust.

Last month’s inspection was its first since joining the Oxfordshire-based multi-academy trust.

After last month’s visit Ofsted inspectors found Larkrise to be good in all areas, describing the school as a “welcoming and inclusive community where pupils are cared for and nurtured”.

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They added: “Leaders have successfully established a respectful and calm community where pupils can focus on their learning. 

“Pupils demonstrate the school values of creativity, kindness and adventure through the way they treat others and approach their learning.

“Leaders, supported by the multi-academy trust (MAT), are highly ambitious for this school and its pupils.

“They have made recent improvements to all areas of the school and continue to seek ways to develop further.”

In a letter to parents and carers announcing the Ofsted rating, Larkrise Headteacher Jon Gray said: “The staff team have been incredible and held on tight through the rapid improvement journey, including during the choppy waters of the pandemic.

"We feel so fortunate to be able to lead such an incredible team.

“They are truly amazing and have the well deserved title of the ‘Larkrise Family’. Nothing could be achieved without their skilled dedication to the children in our care.”

Larkrise chair of governors Paul Stockdale also praised staff, saying: “Getting to this point has been a long process, requiring years of dedicated professional work.”

Mr Stockdale added: “The inspection occurred at a particularly emotive time and many parents will have followed the debate about Ofsted, its inspections and the use of one-word ratings to 'grade' schools.

“Staff told us that the inspection was carried out in a professional, respectful manner and was fair at all times. This was also our experience as governors.”

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River Learning Trust (RLT) is a multi-academy trust made up of 19 primaries and nine secondaries across Oxfordshire and Swindon.

Its primaries include city schools Wolvercote, Cutteslowe, Rose Hill, New Marston and Sandhills. Oxford secondary schools The Cherwell, The Swan, Cheney and The Oxford Academy are also part of RLT.

The trust’s chief executive, Paul James, said: “The school has improved significantly over the past few years.

“Everybody involved with the school should be proud of what has been achieved and what the school does for its pupils and community on a daily basis."