A newly appointed leadership team has been praised after receiving a 'Good' rating in an Ofsted report - with inspectors citing "rapid improvement".

Inspectors judged Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Northallerton to be good in all areas and gave it a good overall rating.

“Sacred Heart Primary School has recently undergone significant change,” the report says.

“Leaders have improved the quality of education for pupils. The curriculum is ambitious. The school has identified the important knowledge they want pupils to learn. There is also a strong focus on vocabulary.

“The school is now run by an executive team. They also have responsibility for another trust school in North Yorkshire (All Saints Catholic Primary in Thirsk).

Pupils and staff at the school Pupils and staff at the school (Image: SACRED HEART)

“This leadership model has supported rapid improvement. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the current provision in the school. Staff are proud to work at the school. “They appreciate how leaders listen to feedback. Governors and trustees know the school’s strengths and areas for development well.”

The school, which is one of 38 North Yorkshire and Teesside schools that make up Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT), was noted by Ofsted as having children who enjoy coming to school and are proud to live up to Sacred Heart’s vision of “being the best you can be”.

“The school has high expectations for the quality of education,” it said.

“Pupils achieve well. They benefit from the well-designed curriculum the trust has helped to put in place. Pupils look forward to their lessons and enjoy positive relationships with staff.

“Pupils increasingly benefit from a curriculum that extends beyond the academic.”

Executive headteacher Paul Conway, who was appointed last September, welcomed the report and said the improvements were a real team effort.

“We are so proud of the significant improvements we are making and continue to make,” he said.

“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and the tremendous support of the central NPCAT team.

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“It’s great that Ofsted has recognised the ambitious curriculum we have put in place and how prioritising vocabulary and a positive reading culture has truly made a difference in the quality of education for our pupils.

“It is also heartening to see such positive feedback from parents, staff, governors and trustees. We are grateful for their support and commitment to our school community.

“This recognition from Ofsted is a validation of our efforts, but we will continue to strive to make even more progress to ensure we offer the children of Northallerton the very best education possible.

“We would encourage families with young children to visit our thriving early years provision and see for themselves what we have to offer.”

Recently appointed chair of governors Graham McCartney added: “I would like to express my gratitude to school leaders and the committed and loyal staff for this judgement. “Our strengths have been recognised and governors are confident that as a combined team, we are well placed to drive further developments, and continue the trajectory of our ambitious programme of continuous improvement.”