September 25, 2023 03:20pm
Children and staff at New Horizons Primary School are celebrating our latest Ofsted report, which says our school is a ‘safe, caring and happy’ place to be.
New Horizons Primary School has been graded as ‘Good’ across all areas of Ofsted’s inspection criteria, including the quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and early years. This was the first inspection with the school’s new senior leadership team, led by Executive Headteacher Anna Webb and Head of School Jack Jones.
New Horizons - formally Isambard Brunel Junior School - received a ‘Requires Improvement’ rating in 2017, but following investment and expert support from the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, the school has undergone a positive transformation.
The school merged with Meredith Infant School in 2019 to provide a primary school model, now recognised as New Horizons Primary School. They were graded as ‘Good’ in 2019 and again this year.
Mr. Jones, who previously worked for Penbridge School which is also a member of the same Trust, praised children and staff for the result, saying: “Our children were exemplary and clearly demonstrated what makes New Horizons a special place. We are incredibly proud of the work that every member of our team accomplished during this inspection.
“I’m delighted our team’s drive to provide a high-quality education for all pupils, as well as our vibrant learning environments and our strong culture of safeguarding, were mentioned in the report.”
The outcome recognised the school’s drive to teach children about the importance of working hard and being your best self, saying: “Pupils enjoy learning in this safe, caring and happy school. The starfish logo reminds everyone that ‘each day they should strive to make a positive difference’. Pupils appreciate how adults help them learn and try out new things.”
Ofsted also complimented the provision the school has for those 4 to 8-years-old, saying: "The early years learning environment, both inside and outside, is vibrant and inviting. It is a place where children thrive, with purposeful activity and positive relationships."
While acknowledging the new leadership team at the school, His Majesty’s Inspector stated the team “is resolute and united in their ambition to provide a high-quality education for all pupils. They have already made improvements to some key aspects of the school following a period of change.”
Anna Webb, Executive Headteacher at New Horizons Primary School, said: “The whole team at New Horizons works tirelessly to positively impact the lives of every child that comes through our doors, so I’d like to thank each of them for their support and contributions to gaining a ‘Good’ from Ofsted.
“At New Horizons and the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, our mission is all about transforming the life chances of children and I’m really pleased we have been recognised to be doing exactly that.”
You can read the full report, as well as information about the school’s open events, on our website.