Ofsted inspectors were blown away after visiting a West Midlands primary school, handing out the best grades yet in the region under its revamped inspection system.
The education watchdog is now issuing new grades after scrapping previous one-word ratings like 'outstanding' and 'good'. Schools are now judged across a range of areas rather than receiving a single overall grade.
'Exceptional' is now the top grade handed out by Ofsted. Reedswood E-ACT Primary Academy in Walsall has been awarded exceptional ratings across three different areas, making it the best school so far in the West Midlands to be inspected under the new regulations.
While other schools have been rated outstanding and judged among the best in the region, they were inspected under the old system and will eventually be revisited by Ofsted. It is rare so far for schools to have been awarded 'exceptional' ratings, making Reedswood's achievement all the more impressive given its setting in one of the more deprived and high-crime parts of the region, not far from Walsall town centre.
Ofsted revamped its inspection system in an effort to provide a fuller and fairer reflection of overall performance. In its inspection report, Ofsted stated: 'Whatever their starting points, pupils at this school make remarkable progress. Year after year, pupils’ progress and attainment in national tests and assessments are significantly higher than average.'
The report added: 'This impressive level of achievement has its roots in the school’s unwavering commitment to securing pupils’ essential knowledge in English and mathematics.' It further noted: 'The quality of leadership at this school is superb. Year after year, leaders have driven continual improvement across all areas of the school’s work.'
