Outstanding Progress Award - Primary

sponsored by Primary Teaching Services
Presented to the UK Primary School that has made outstanding progress in the management of its facilities, finances and human resources and can demonstrate an increase in the educational performance of the school.

2011 Winner: Rose Hill Primary School, Oxford

Rose Hill Primary’s teaching leadership has, in a matter of a few years, raised the school’s status from being on special measures in 2007 to become the most improved primary in England, an unprecedented achievement by any standards. The scale of what had to change in English, Maths and Science; the quality of teaching and learning, and attendance levels that had to be raised was daunting. But through determined and dedicated work, drawing teachers, pupils and parents into a team with a common cause, the school progressively put in motion a plan to get back on track. Ofsted returned and declared that Rose Hill had improved “beyond all recognition”.

Commended

Old Park Primary School, Telford
Against all the odds in an area of high deprivation and low aspirations, the staff at Shropshire’s Old Park Primary applied their ingenuity and demonstrated the effect creative endeavour has when both pupils and parents are involved. One example of this approach: two Native Americans, Stone Bear and Snow Bird, pitched a tepee in the school grounds for three days. From that a term-long project for the pupils led to dividing them into tribes to live and experience their culture for real. Learning experiences at this standard give pupils life-building experiences. An inspired curriculum and teaching mastery has turned low aspirations upside down through the committed cooperation of staff, pupils and parents. 

The Spinney Primary School, Cambridge
Serving a changing locality of social, linguistic, ethnic and cultural diversity, the involvement of parents in supporting the Spinney Primary School is extensive and enriching. This has much to do with the closely coordinated interest teachers sustain in their pupils, addressing a variety of learning needs. Spinney has successfully directed pupils’ independence in learning, and the school’s tracking systems precisely identify any pupil that may be at risk of falling behind. Their increasingly broad understanding ranges across all areas of learning. Teaching excellence, with a highly attuned sense of the pupils’ mutual relationships, has created a hospitable, stable and confident atmosphere all around.

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, London
At St. Mary’s, the teachers’ ongoing rapid self-improvement has enabled the planning of diverse activities honed to pupils’ different needs. The effect on pupils has been a significant strengthening of good relationships with adults, positive attitudes to learning, and particularly fine standards of conduct. Pupils therefore feel extremely safe and cared for and relish their daily school life. Good partnerships with speech and language therapists and the local parish, encourages a meaningful contribution to pupils’ good personal development. Although academic excellence is paramount, St Mary’s nurtures pupils’ special gifts that make each child individually unique, preparing them for tomorrow’s world.

Willowbrook Primary School, Leicester
While Willowbrook Primary School has gained national recognition for its work in several areas, including Activemark and Healthy Schools status, Ofsted recognises its clear sense of direction and “outstanding” pupil outcomes. Curriculum excellence has been achieved by a thorough analysis of pupils’ interests, the skills they need to acquire, and how effectively to nurture and harness them. That process also reflects the school’s strong commitment to promoting equal opportunities and tackling discrimination. Supported by a network of partnerships, as well as the rich diversity of cultures within the local community, pupils’ preparation for living and working in a diverse Britain is exceptional.