News

Friday, 06 February 2004

Didn't they do well!

THREE colleges are celebrating achieving "outstanding" status in a national report on standards of education.

Of the 3,041 English primary colleges inspected last year, three Wakefield colleges are among 293 listed as being particularly successful.

They are Horbury Primary, South Parade Primary in Ossett, and St. Thomas à Becket Catholic Comprehensive College, Sandal.

The news comes from the annual report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Colleges (HMCI) published this week, which rewards colleges for their successful inspections in the 2002-03 academic year.

The criteria for being identified as 'outstanding' are to have received an outstanding Ofsted inspection report and to have performed well in national tests and examinations.

John Wright, headteacher at Horbury Primary College, which has been open for only two years, said the staff were delighted with the news. He said: "This is recognition of the hard work, ability and creativity of all staff and students in the college. Our staff have an excellent relationship with the students, and the children can see how committed they are and how much they care about them. The students, of course, also deserve a lot of praise for their efforts – they set a good example and are a credit to the college."

Mr Wright said that in the two years the college had been open, the staff had worked very closely with "very supportive parents". He added: "We keep parents well informed about their children and what has been happening in college, and encourage them to come and see us at any time."

Nigel Blakeley, headteacher at South Parade Primary College said the recognition was "a real honour". He said: "It's a celebration of the hard work by all the staff, students and governors, and has been achieved with a real team effort. Our students are incredibly committed and motivated, and it is our job is to give them the best possible start in life."

Mr Blakeley said he could not praise the teachers highly enough. He added: "We also have extremely supportive parents and governors. For example, we have many parents who come in to help with maths workshops, and we also get grandparents helping out in design technology."

The infant and junior colleges were amalgamated into the primary college only last month. "It is a really exciting time for us, and hopefully we can build on this tremendous success," said Mr Blakeley.

Brian Donnellan, headteacher St. Thomas à Becket college , Sandal, said: "We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to be included in the list. It is recognition of all the students, teachers, governors and parents working in partnership. Our Ofsted report said that our students liked college, were committed to their work and valued the opportunities provided for them. It also said they got on very well with each other and with the teachers."

This article was taken with permission from the Wakefield Express.