Ofsted: Inspiring Tadcaster school earn high praise

A success driven Tadcaster school has received a glowing assessment from Ofsted inspectors for its determination for pupils to succeed.
Headteacher Mary Young and youngsters Charlotte Watson, Jack Norman, Miles McGhee, Lydia Jackson, Freddie Wright, Fraser Gower and Kate WilcockHeadteacher Mary Young and youngsters Charlotte Watson, Jack Norman, Miles McGhee, Lydia Jackson, Freddie Wright, Fraser Gower and Kate Wilcock
Headteacher Mary Young and youngsters Charlotte Watson, Jack Norman, Miles McGhee, Lydia Jackson, Freddie Wright, Fraser Gower and Kate Wilcock

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School retained a ‘good’ rating after inspectors visited the school on Tuesday, January 17.

Headteacher Mary Young joined the school in September 2015 and under her leadership standards have continued to rise across age groups.

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Inspectors highlighted her work to establish a monitoring system for all the schools pupils, ensuring they are supported throughout their time at the school.

Mrs Young said: “We are a small school with 58 pupils and it is an opportunity as we can really get to know each individual child while they are here.

“It lets us find out the needs they have, whether it is those who need more of a challenge or those who might need assistance.

“We make sure each child is supported the whole way through school, that way we can make sure they are doing the best they can do.”

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Support for its staff was also judged by Ofsted to be strong, with weaker teaching eradicated and Mrs Young’s leadership being described as ‘inspiring.’

Mrs Young said: “All the teachers have worked together, teaching can be a challenge even in a small school and when this does happen we want to make sure each of them are also supported as it is a hard job.

“We are all learners at the school, especially with the government changes to the curriculum, but here there is a chance for everyone to learn.”

Pupils told inspectors that the school is a happy place for them to learn, that they were supported by teachers and took ‘great comfort’ from learning in a school where staff know and understand them.

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Even after such a successful result the school remain ambitious, with early teacher Ms Katie Fry explaining the good work is an ongoing process.

Ms Fry said: “It is down to all the staff, parents and governors who made the school as good as it can be, but this is good progress.”