STAFF at a primary school in Winsford are celebrating after receiving top marks in a new-style faith schools inspection.
St Chad’s Church of England Primary School, in Gladstone Street, is one of the first in the country to be inspected under the new framework for Church of England and Methodist faith schools, known as SIAMS.
SIAMS Inspectors explore the way faith schools’ Christian vision drives their work.
The new style inspection is a move away from Ofsted type graded system, instead providing detailed feedback on whether and how institutuions live up to their foundation as a Church school.
Head teacher, Catherine Speed, said the report was 'glowing', adding: "We value, respect, and celebrate every child as an individual at St Chad's, and we are so pleased this report reflects this.
“The children really shone on the inspection day.
“Our vision group gave a tour of the school, and pupils spoke enthusiastically about their learning and all demonstrated their wonderful attitudes to learning and behaviour throughout the day.
“It was a brilliant opportunity for pupils and staff to share the aspects of our school they’re proud of.
“We have a deeply held commitment to fulfil the vision of ‘a future with hope’ for every person. This creates an extraordinarily inclusive community where everyone matters, and all are supported to live well together.
“We know in our school, people’s lives are transformed.”
In her report, SIAMS inspector, Ali Rice, said: “Central to this joyful and inspiring community is a vision which epitomises leaders’ ambitions for every person.
“The vision to provide a Christian family ethos radiates through all relationships within the community.
"The implementation of the school’s vision driven behaviour policy has fundamentally transformed the school’s culture. It raises expectations, celebrates successes, develops resilience, and supports pupils with reflective and restorative approaches.
“The varied wider curriculum is broad in content and diverse in its implementation. All are ‘encouraged to reach their full potential’ by ensuring pupils learn in a way which enables them to excel.”
“Pupils develop a strong sense of justice, hope and aspiration through collective worship, the wider curriculum and extracurricular opportunities. Consequently, pupils become agents of change who know they can make a difference for themselves and for others.”
St Chad's SIAMS report follows an Ofsted ‘Good’ report in February, which said: “Pupils are happy to attend this welcoming school.
“Leaders and staff are ambitious for the achievement of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
“They also ensure that pupils’ experiences contribute to the vision of a future with hope.”
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