Pupils and staff at a County Durham school are celebrating after receiving a 'Good' with 'Outstanding features' rating during the inspection.

During the inspection, the 'outstanding' behaviour was highlighted at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School in Shotton.

The primary school, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted overall.

Ofsted lead inspector Alison Stephenson said in her report: “Pupils’ behaviour is outstanding. They demonstrate excellent behaviour in lessons and on the playground.

"They work hard and enjoy their learning. Pupils are friendly and courteous to everyone. They are welcoming to visitors and are eager to share what is special about their school.

“Behaviour across the school is exemplary. There is a calm and friendly atmosphere. Pupils are engaged and attentive during lessons.”

The school’s Catholic foundation “permeates throughout school life” with caring relationships between pupils and staff which are “underpinned by kindness and mutual respect”.

“Staff know their pupils well and work successfully to help them,” the report added.

“Pupils support each other to love, learn and grow as one family.

“The school is ambitious for pupils to achieve well in their academic studies and personal lives. Great emphasis is placed on pupils’ personal and character development. Pupils take on leadership roles, support in the local community and participate in a range of activities to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

“Pupils are keen to learn. They enjoy their time in school.”

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, on Fleming Field, has an “ambitious and broad curriculum” designed to “inspire and motivate” pupils, according to inspectors. 

The school’s approach to teaching phonics helps pupils to become confident readers, and reading is a priority across the school and staff are well trained and deliver the school’s phonics programme effectively, the report added.

“Teachers have strong knowledge of the subjects that they teach,” said the report.

“They regularly revisit learning so that pupils remember it. Staff frequently check what pupils know and remember. They adapt future teaching to address gaps in pupils’ knowledge. For example, in art and design, pupils build on prior learning to develop as artists and evaluate their own work.”

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Following the Ofsted inspection, executive headteacher Lisa Ashton said: “I am very proud of our Ofsted report, which is a celebration of the hard work and commitment of all of our staff, governors, parents and children.

“It recognises many of the wonderful opportunities we have to offer at Our Lady of Lourdes and really captures the exemplary behaviour and attitudes of our wonderful children, who ‘let their light shine’ in what they do every day.”

The primary school was inspected in June. Ofsted inspectors carried out deep dives in early reading, mathematics, geography, and art and design.