Staff, parents and children at St Gregory’s Primary School in Margate are celebrating after Ofsted inspectors rated them as Good in every area.
The Nash Road school has “changed a lot in the last year,” say inspectors – resulting in the leap from a Require Improvement grading in 2017 to the new Good rating.
Inspectors from the education watchdog visited classes in September. In their report they say: “Staff give pupils a range of appropriately challenging work to do. Pupils learn reading, writing and mathematics successfully. They practise teamwork when they work together in groups, and they learn not to give up. Staff give pupils extra support to help them learn if they find the work difficult.”
Inspectors also noted that pupils enjoy their time at the school, saying: “Pupils enjoy coming to the school. Leaders organise activities that widen pupils’ experiences. Pupils develop their talents, for example when performing at the local theatre and taking part in a virtual orchestra. Pupils often go on visits to places in the local community. They like attending clubs, such as ‘quidditch’, basketball and cricket.”
The inspection reports also praises the academy’s curriculum combined with the nurturing atmosphere for children and staff.
St Gregory’s is part of the Kent catholic Schools Partnership, which also includes Ursuline College in Westgate on Sea. The college was graded as good in 2017.
Ursuline Executive Principal Mike Waters and Academy Principal Camilla Crampton are working closely with Chris Wright and Diane Rougvie-Fevrier, Principals of St Gregory’s, to ensure the two academies continue to thrive together for many years to come.
A school spokesperson said: “This Good grading allows Margate parents to now have another good primary choice in St Gregory’s and with the added benefit of a pathway to access a good secondary academy too. “
North Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale, a long-time supporter of St Gregory’s, visited the school to pass on his congratulations to the staff and pupils of St Gregory’s and Ursuline College on their news.