Last updated at 10:42, Friday, 06 March 2009

Stainton School is a good school with some outstanding features, inspectors have found.

The Church of England school near Penrith, which has 171 pupils, is also steadily improving, according to Ofsted inspectors. Ofsted heaped praise on the school’s ‘excellent’ work with pupils who have learning difficulties, stating that the youngsters involved make “exceptional progress”.

The personal development of younger children in the school’s early years section is “exemplary” too.

Teaching and learning are good. Standards are also high among children in year six who leave with above average achievement in subjects such as English, maths and science.

The Ofsted inspection was followed shortly afterwards by a visit from denominational inspectors. Both reports also commended governors and the senior leaders while the denominational report also highlighted the strong Christian character of the school.

Headteacher Helen Dunham said: “We are delighted with the reports. It is a team effort and has involved everyone from the governors, teachers and parents. Everyone’s outstanding hard work has been reflected in the reports.”

The school has been asked by Ofsted to do more to improve pupils’ awareness of the diversity of British culture and give teachers more opportunities to share good practice to help raise achievements even more.

Mrs Dunham added: “The key issues we’ve been asked to develop are not core curriculum ones.”

First published at 05:24, Friday, 06 March 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk