By Tommy Bonnet
A Nottinghamshire head teacher says teamwork and sticking to the school’s core values are the reasons why Ofsted graded it outstanding again.
Ofsted inspectors rated Eskdale Junior School in Chilwell as outstanding in all areas – having been given an ‘outstanding’ grading by the watchdog since 2010.
And a recent inspection found the school – which has 249 pupils – maintains its high standards 14 years on.
The school received outstanding across all four categories: the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
Only 14 per cent of primary schools were rated outstanding in overall effectiveness in 2023 across the country.
Headteacher Rob Scruton, who’se been in the role since January 2011, said part of the school’s grading comes down to maintaining its core values.
He told Notts TV: “We’re thrilled, it’s a notable amount of teamwork ensuring the school has sustained itself and, although it is four outstanding judgements, we don’t do this for Ofsted.
“We do this for the children and it’s great to see them recognise that.
“At the heart of everything we do is our values. We’ve always had a value-based approach, it gives the children a strong sense of belonging when they come here, they want to be a part of the school and grow into Eskdalers.”
The school’s five values are known to pupils as the big five or S.T.A.R.S. – a “happy accident which a year three student some years ago noticed”, Mr Scruton said.
They are skills and knowledge for life, taking care, aiming high, responding to challenges, and self-discipline.
In the report, Ofsted inspectors said: “The school’s STARS values of … underpin all the school does.
“Pupils said these values help them understand behaviour and learning expectations. Pupils quickly become confident and resilient learners.
“Pupils’ behaviour in lessons and around school is exceptional. Pupils are polite and respectful to each other and staff. They feel safe in school.”
Pupils also praised what the school has to offer.
Year six pupil Jason Rama said: “There’s a lot of teachers who will help you with your work, there’s lots of really kind people here who will help you.”
Fellow year six Phoebe Hadley said: “There’s so much community and diversity at school, it’s like our values the big 5 they make you feel connected everyone knows what they are.”
Year six class teacher Sian Groves also highlighted the importance of the school’s community and the staff’s high ambitions.
She said: “It’s a massive achievement. It is a lot of preparation, but we do what we do every day; we don’t do anything different to what we normally do.
“We work really closely as a group everybody works together and helps each other.
“Already we are thinking what we can do better, what we can keep improving for the children.”
The Ofsted rating comes after reforms were introduced in September to the way the watchdog grades schools.
Schools are no longer given an overall effectiveness grade and are instead reviewed based on the four key areas of quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
A provider helpline has also been created so providers can speak to Ofsted either during or immediately after an inspection.
It follows the death of head teacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life in January 2023 after learning her Berkshire school was due to be graded as inadequate.
