Orchard Head Junior, Infant and Nursery School has announced that a recent Ofsted inspection has rated the school as good.
The school which is part of Pontefract Academies Trust was given a big thumbs up by inspectors that visited the school in February. Newly appointed Head of School, Mr Joe Mitchell, was praised for “wasting no time in identifying what is working well” with inspectors finding a “shared ambition and enthusiasm among staff and governors for the school”.
Mr Mitchell said “We are pleased with the inspection outcome as it reflects the school is moving in the right direction. We are also pleased that Ofsted recognised our determination to improve the school and address our areas of weakness”. Mr Mitchell, who joined the school in January, believes the school is in a strong position to move forward. He added, “As part of a Multi Academy Trust we benefit a great deal from shared systems and collaboration with the other five primaries and the support we receive from the Trust school improvement team. This gives the school the capacity and resource to fulfil our ambitions for our children.”
The inspection report commented that “parents are buoyed by recent changes in leadership and have a positive view of the school”. As part of the inspection, inspectors sought the views of pupils who were “unanimous in their view that they enjoy school and have good attitudes to learning”. Inspectors met with governors and the Trust, and concluded that all are “united in their ambition to ensure that the school continues to improve”.
Tom Fay, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at Pontefract Academies Trust added, “The outcome for the school, Joe and his team is extremely positive. We thank staff and pupils for their hard work and look forward to further supporting the school in their journey of continuous improvement”.