Greenwich: Outstanding verdict cements school’s turnround

by WO Admin | Greenwich

Millennium Primary School at Greenwich Peninsula is celebrating after being ranked as ‘outstanding’, just two years after inspectors from Ofsted judged it as ‘requiring improvement’.

The news means that more than nine out of every ten primary schools are now officially ranked by Ofsted as ‘good’ or better – the best ever overall performance by the borough’s schools.

The school, in John Harrison Way, was visited by a team of Ofsted inspectors for two days in May. They gave top marks for pupils’ achievement, their behaviour, the quality of teaching, and how the school is led and managed.

They said: “The highly-effective and exceptional leadership and vision of the executive headteacher, head of school and governing body have brought about significant improvements in the quality of teaching, pupils’ achievement and their behaviour since the previous inspection, so that these are now outstanding.”

They added: “Leaders at all levels are committed and passionate about teaching and learning. They have worked as a team to ensure that all pupils achieve their best, including those who have disabilities and special educational needs, and those who are disadvantaged or vulnerable.

“Teaching is never less than good and much is outstanding. Teachers motivate their pupils and enable them to make excellent progress by ensuring exciting and well-structured learning opportunities, having consistently high expectations and providing good quality feedback. The curriculum is outstanding and is designed by the school’s leaders to ensure that pupils are inspired and enthused to develop a love of learning.”

The inspectors sat in on 20 lessons, visited the school’s breakfast club and held meetings with pupils, staff and governors. They also took account of parents’ views and responses to a staff questionnaire. They said: “The executive headteacher and head of school are highly ambitious for the school. They have embedded a culture of high expectation and a relentless drive for improvement among the school community and have earned the overwhelming respect and support of staff, pupils and parents.”

Executive headteacher Nick Osborne said: “We know something truly exceptional and exciting is happening here at Millennium and we could not be happier to have that validated by an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted inspection. We are so proud of our team of passionately-dedicated teachers and staff, and of course the remarkable students whose thirst for learning is what drives us all every day.”

Cllr John Fahy, Deputy Leader of the Royal Borough and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Congratulations to all staff and pupils for this excellent achievement. Everyone has worked hard to achieve this turnround.”