Elston All Saints Anglican Methodist Primary School receives positive Ofsted and SIAMS inspection reports in a week

A primary school is celebrating a double success after receiving two glowing reports within a week.

Elston All Saints Anglican Methodist Primary School was visited by Ofsted and the Christian school inspectorate SIAMS in the space of just a few days in June.

Both organisations heaped praise on the village school, which caters to around 90 pupils, with the school community described as fitting together like “pieces of a jigsaw puzzle”.

Ofsted carried out a routine ungraded inspection at Elston to confirm that it remained a good school. However, inspectors went a step further and suggested that the school might be considered outstanding if the inspection had been graded.

Teachers say they are proud to work at the school, while their knowledge was highlighted as being strong, and they create well designed and engaging lessons which uphold high standards in the classroom.

A broad and well-organised curriculum, which builds knowledge year-on-year, is supported by a strong culture of daily reading and staff frequently check on pupil development.

The report also states that “pupils freely say how happy, safe and proud they are to attend All Saints” and that the school “radiates a warm and inclusive ethos.”

The SIAMS report echoed the points made by Ofsted, saying the school “is an oasis of peace and tranquility”, and that “laughter and joy is commonplace”.

When inspectors questioned pupils on how the school could be better, one pupil went as far as to say that it should open on weekends.

Pupils are well prepared for life and are encouraged to engage in extra-curricular activities. They are even able to elect a school Prime Minister and deputy Prime Minister who attend meetings and share ideas with staff.

It was noted that pupils say they feel listened to and respected, proven by the success of the Pupil Parliament campaigning for new playground equipment and the return of school discos.

School head, Lisa Richardson, said: “We had two inspections take place in the same week and it was a bit hectic — but we didn’t do anything differently to prepare, they just saw us exactly as we are, which is lovely.

“I love the fact they said we might be outstanding because that’s how we feel, and all of the children and the staff are outstanding.

“They said that staff morale is buoyant, and at a time when teachers are leaving the profession in droves that is brilliant.

“We are very much an open door here and the parents are really involved. So it was nice to see so many positive comments from them.

“Our governors also work really hard, they know the school and our strengths and are very much a part of what we do, they’re not in the background.

“I’m very proud of them all — they’re good eggs.”