Ofsted joy for Grove Primary School in Lowestoft

Staff, pupils, parents and governors at a Lowestoft-area school are celebrating following a 'Good' Ofsted inspection which includes an 'Outstanding' feature.

Almost four years ago Grove Primary School was rated by the education watchdog as 'requires improvement.'

Now, having gone from strength to strength since its last inspection in March 2019, the school on Framfield Road - which is part of The Active Learning Trust - is now rated 'Good' overall.

Learning at Grove Primary School in Lowestoft (Image: Grove Primary School)

After its latest inspection on October 11 and October 12, lead inspector Rachael Judd and her team found the school to have 'good behaviour and attitudes' with 'good personal development', a 'good quality of education’, 'good leadership and management' and 'Outstanding early years provision' as it's 'overall effectiveness' was rated as 'Good.'

Inspectors said "Pupils are happy and proud to attend Grove Primary" with the school described as "a welcoming community with a strong focus on accepting everyone and celebrating people’s differences."

With 296 pupils, aged between three and 11, attending the school, the inspection report said: "The school is a lovely place in which to learn.

Grove Primary School pupils. (Image: Grove Primary School)

"Leaders and governors are highly focused on improving the quality of education.

"The senior leadership team, together with the support of the trust, has brought about significant improvements.

"Leaders have created an exceptional provision for the children in early years."

With the school becoming an academy in May 2014, it was rated 'Inadequate' in June 2017.

Following two Ofsted monitoring visits in 2018, the school was rated as 'Requires improvement' in 2019 - but this week Grove was celebrating its 'Good' Ofsted rating.

Executive headteacher Rae Aldous at Grove Primary School in Lowestoft (Image: Mick Howes)

Executive headteacher, Rae Aldous, praised the whole school community "for being so supportive and believing in the school’s improvement journey."

Mrs Aldous said: "I am delighted by the outcome and would like to thank my senior leaders, teachers, support staff, admin team and site team who have worked so hard to achieve this.

"I would also like to thank the Active Learning Trust, who have guided and supported the school to success.

"Lastly, a very big thank you and well done to our amazing children who deserve the very best."

Mrs Aldous added: "The school-to-school partnership we have with Westwood Primary School has been pivotal in ensuring success for both schools.

"I am looking forward to continuing our school improvement journey and securing further outstanding judgments for both schools."

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Congratulating the school for its improved rating, Jonathan Duff, regional director for the Department of Education, wrote to Mrs Aldous after the judgement.

He said: "This result is testament to your hard work and that of the school staff, supported by the trust.

"You should be very proud.

"Please accept my warmest thanks to you and your team."

Craig D'Cunha, acting CEO of the Active Learning Trust, added: "I would like to congratulate our colleagues at Grove Primary School and those across the Trust who have played a part in achieving this Ofsted grade.

"We are all very proud of the school community, for the welcoming and positive learning environment they have created."