Aycliffe Village Primary School are celebrating a very positive Ofsted report, following a recent inspection in April 2019. Inspectors noted that ‘Staff and leaders have worked successfully together to create a happy, challenging and safe school’ and spoke of the ‘broad, balanced and stimulating curriculum’ the school provides that enables pupils to learn in an ‘exciting and meaningful way’. Other comments referred to the ‘extremely positive’ relationships between pupils and adults, the ‘welcoming and friendly’ atmosphere and the ‘high standard’ of pupil behaviour in school.

The report detailed a reinspection that took place for the school in April 2019, following a previous inspection (December 2016) where the school was given an overall grade of ‘requires improvement’. It spoke of the rapid improvements the school has made since the last inspection and mentioned the ‘determined approach’ and ‘high expectations’ of Head Teacher, Helen Sutherland, who joined the school in January 2018. Other aspects of school leadership were similarly praised, in particular the work of governors who show ‘passion and aspiration to ensure the best possible outcomes for all pupils’ and middle leaders (English and Maths Subject Leaders) who were described as an ‘asset to the school’.

“This is a wonderful outcome for our school and I am delighted for all members of our school community”, said Helen Sutherland, Head Teacher. “The school has had a very challenging couple of years and the dedication of staff and governors has been key to moving it to the position it is now in. We look forward to continuing to build on successes from this inspection and to making further improvements in the future. I am very proud to be Head Teacher of our lovely village school!” Chair of Governors, Jim Walsh, is similarly delighted with this outcome for the school and commented that Syd Howarth, a previous governor at the school, would have been thrilled with this outcome. “This has been a real team effort to get to this positive outcome. Helen’s appointment was key to this, as was the resilience shown by the whole school community during some challenging times. I thank everyone who has helped us along the way. As a former Vice Chair of Governors at the school, I know Syd Howarth would be proud of this outcome and am only sad he is not here to celebrate with us”.

Aycliffe Village Primary School has pupil places for September 2019. Prospective parents and children would be warmly welcomed for a visit. Please contact the school on 01325 300227 if you are interested.