Wellingborough school celebrates Ofsted improvement

A Wellingborough primary school is celebrating after being given a grade of '˜good' by the education watchdog.
Pupils and Mrs Wallis-O'Dell celebrate the new Ofsted grade.Pupils and Mrs Wallis-O'Dell celebrate the new Ofsted grade.
Pupils and Mrs Wallis-O'Dell celebrate the new Ofsted grade.

Freeman’s Endowed Junior Academy in Westfield Road has made the leap after it was told it needed to improve by Ofsted two years ago.

Principal Victoria Wallis-O’Dell praised the hard work of her team.

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She said: “I’m really pleased and the staff have been amazing.

“They are so committed to what they do.

“They work so hard and they deserve this because of the work they do for the kids.

“They always put the kids first.

“We’ve had lots of compliments from parents.”

The report found the school, which provides education for 238 pupils, was ‘good’ in all areas.

Mrs Wallis-O’Dell only joined became the school’s principal in September but received high praise from Ofsted for the transformation.

The report said: “The principal leads by example.

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“She provides strong and determined leadership which has enabled the school to make rapid improvements in a short space of time.

“She is highly respected by pupils, parents, staff and governors.

“Leaders and the governors know the school’s strengths and weaknesses.

“They are ambitious for the school.

“They know what needs to be done to sustain pupils’ good achievement and to continue the school’s journey of improvement.

Teachers have good subject knowledge.

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“They use this to check pupils’ progress carefully and plan learning activities to address gaps in understanding and extend learning.

“Outcomes are good in all subjects and all groups make good progress.”

Mrs Wallis-O’Dell added that the school is now aiming to be graded as ‘outstanding’ at its next inspection.