Sugar Hill Primary School, the first school in County Durham to be converted from good to Outstanding under the new Ofsted Framework.
On September the 12th and 13th Sugar Hill was inspected by Ofsted. Over the two days a total of 5 inspectors visited the school to confirm the Outstanding judgements in all 5 areas,
• Effectiveness of Leadership and Management
• Quality of teaching, learning and assessment
• Personal Development, behaviour and welfare
• Outcomes for pupils  • Early Years Provision
Mrs Paula O’Rourke – Head Teacher said: “The inspectors looked at learning in lessons, work in books, behaviour around school and challenged the senior leadership team on all aspects of their work. Governors were also interviewed on the challenge they provide.
“This is the best news, confirming what I always believed, that Sugar Hill is an outstanding school, with all staff going above and beyond to give the children the best start in life. I would like to thank the children for always rising to the challenge and the parents for the support they give. Our results this year were our best ever, showing the outstanding progress the children make here.
I have an amazing team and having worked in many schools, I can safely say that Sugar Hill is a very special place.  We are all absolutely delighted.”
The report makes fantastic reading, with quotes including: “The behaviour of pupils is outstanding. Their attitudes to learning, to each other, to adults and visitors are exemplary. “Lessons run like clockwork. From the moment they enter school in the morning, well established routines and teachers’ high expectations ensure pupils from the earliest ages, settle quickly to their learning”