'˜Strong leadership' hailed at Blackpool primary school as head speaks of pride in pupils

Inspectors from education watchdog Ofsted visited Roseacre Primary Academy and said senior teachers had ‘maintained the good quality of education’ since it was last inspected in 2014.

In a letter to headteacher Janet Carroll (inset), inspector Elizabeth Stevens said: “Roseacre Primary is a happy and welcoming school where pupils develop as confident and polite children.

“This is because staff teach pupils to live the school’s values, including respect, courage, and determination.”

Mrs Carroll and her colleagues’ ‘strong and ambitious leadership’ has meant the school continues to improve, Ms Stevens said, with their high expectations shared with all staff.

Teachers now work with other schools and specialists to further improve, and the school has taken steps to boost the teaching of reading at key stage two. Training had been put in place, which was found to be ‘having an impact on the progress pupils make’.

Governors visit regularly and know the school well, and have a ‘good understanding’ of its strengths and weaknesses, while the ‘vast majority’ of parents were ‘very positive’ about Roseacre.

“During the inspection, we found that pupils behave well in class and around school,” Ms Stevens said.

“This is because you teach pupils to respect and value each other. Staff are taking the right steps to support the small number of pupils whose behaviour falls below the school’s high standards.”

Mrs Carroll said Ofsted’s visit was ‘really very positive’, and praised her pupils: “Our children are, on the whole, incredible. They know how to conduct themselves.”

She also hailed her staff, and pledged: “Every single day we look at improving something.”